US lists Middle East states among more than 150 on Covid travel advisory

The US State Department added at least 116 countries this week to its Level Four: Do Not Travel advisory list, including nearly every country in the Middle East.

The only country excluded from the level-four status was Morocco, which is at level three, which advises US citizens to reconsider travel.

On Monday, the State Department said it would increase the number of countries receiving its highest advisory rating to about 80 per cent of nations.

Before Tuesday, the US listed 34 out of about 200 countries as Do Not Travel.

The countries previously included were Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

The are now 150 countries at level four.

Here are the travel advisories for each country in the region.

UAE

The advisory for the UAE was updated to Do Not Travel on Tuesday.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention issued a level-four travel health notice “indicating a very high level of Covid-19 in the country”.

Because of risks involving "civil aviation operating within the [Arabian Gulf] and the Gulf of Oman region", the Federal Aviation Administration also issued an advisory for the UAE.

Saudi Arabia

The advisory for Saudi Arabia was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

US citizens were advised not to travel to Saudi Arabia owing to Covid-19 and the “threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities".

"Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to terrorism,” the State Department said.

Saudi Arabia was issued a level-four travel health notice by the CDC.

The authorities advised US citizens in Saudi Arabia to avoid the following locations owing to "missile and drone attacks and terrorism":

• Within 80 kilometres of the Saudi-Yemen border, as well as the cities of Abha and Jazan, Najran, and Khamis Mushait
• Abha airport
• Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah

Oman

The advisory for Oman was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

Oman is listed as a level-four state by the CDC, “indicating a very high level of Covid-19 in the country”.

Americans are advised to avoid the Yemen border area because of “terrorism and armed conflict”.

“Crossing the border into Yemen can be dangerous, and US citizens who attempt to cross the Oman-Yemen border, from either Oman or Yemen, may be detained by Omani authorities,” the State Department said.

Bahrain

The advisory for Bahrain was updated to Do Not Travel on Tuesday, with the State Department warning Americans against increased Covid-19 in the country.

Owing to risks involving “civil aviation operating within the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region”, the FAA also issued an advisory for Bahrain.

Kuwait

The advisory for Kuwait was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday, with the CDC indicating a very high level of Covid-19 there.

Americans were warned to avoid “the desert region near the border with Iraq due to the prevalence of unexploded ordnance”.

The State Department also advised Americans to exercise increased caution in the Jeleeb Al Shuyoukh area in Kuwait City because of crime.

Qatar

The advisory for Qatar was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

The CDC listed Qatar as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country”.

The FAA also issued an advisory for Qatar because of risks involving “civil aviation operating within the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region”.

Iran

The advisory for Iran remains at level four, indicating a very high level of Covid-19 in the country. The State Department also warned Americans that there are risks of kidnapping, arrest and detention of US citizens.

Algeria

The travel advisory for Algeria was changed to Do Not Travel on Wednesday. The CDC issued a travel health notice for Algeria owing to Covid-19 and said that there were unknown levels of infection in the country. The State Department also said that Americans should avoid travel to Algeria because of terrorism

Egypt

The advisory for Egypt was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

The CDC listed Egypt as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department urged Americans to exercise increased caution in Egypt owing to terrorism and its limited ability to help dual citizens who are arrested.

Iraq

The advisory for Iraq was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

The CDC listed Iraq as a level-four country because of it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department warned Americans of a high risk of violence and kidnapping as well as threats from terrorist and insurgent groups.

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

The advisory for Israel was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

The CDC listed Israel as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department also warned Americans of potential travel restrictions, strict quarantine procedures, armed conflict and civil unrest.

Jordan

The advisory for Jordan was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

The CDC listed Jordan as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department also warns Americans of some terrorism concerns. Jordan is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases and is struggling to control infections.

Lebanon

The advisory for Lebanon was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

The CDC listed Lebanon as a level-four country owing to “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department told Americans to reconsider travel, warning of crime, terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest. Lebanon has experienced a lot of political turmoil over the past year leading to nationwide protests.

Libya

The advisory for Libya was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

The CDC listed Libya as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department told Americans to reconsider travel warning of crime, terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest.

Syria

The advisory for Syria was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

The CDC listed Syria as a level-four country because of “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department warned Americans against travel to Syria owing to terrorism, armed conflict and the possibility of unjust detention.

Tunisia

The advisory for Tunisia was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

The CDC listed Tunisia as a level-four country owing to “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department warns Americans against travel owing to terrorism and also mentions avoiding travel to high-risk areas such as the border with Libya, the country’s mountainous areas and the desert south of Remada.

Turkey

The advisory for Turkey was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.

The CDC listed Turkey as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department warns Americans against travel owing to the possibly of arbitrary detention.

Yemen

The advisory for Yemen was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.

The CDC listed Yemen as a level-four country because of “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department warns Americans against travel owing to terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines. The US embassy in Yemen has been closed since 2015.