By Kylie Atwood, Lauren Fox, Nicole Gaouette and Jennifer Hansler, CNN
Updated 4:14 PM ET, Thu March 19, 2020
Washington (CNN)The US State Department on Thursday warned American citizens not to travel abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic, issuing its highest level travel alert.
The Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory “advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.”
“In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period,” the alert said.
The State Department alert advised US citizens living abroad to “avoid all international travel.”
“Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice,” it said.
“Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe,” it said.
Four sources told CNN earlier on Thursday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had approved the Level 4 advisory.
Last week the advisory was raised globally to Level 3: Reconsider Travel “due to the global impact of COVID-19.”
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Article URL : https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/19/politics/state-department-travel-advisory/index.html