The U.S. Department of Treasurey’s Office of Assets Control administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers and other groups which threaten the national security or economy of the United States.

Effective February 8, 2012, several OFAC sanctioned countries have been removed from Travelex’s restricted list.

Moving forward, only the following destinations have restrictions:

• Iran
• Libya
• North Korea
• Syria

Related posts:

1. Travelex Supplier Restrictions as of May 18, 2011
2. Travelex Supplier Restrictions as of January 30, 2012
3. Travelex Supplier Restrictions – As of August 20th 2007

Didn’t Buy Travel Insurance Yet – Am I Out of Luck?

I should have done this sooner, but was not thinking. Normally we don’t purchase insurance and have just taken the risk. We booked a cruise for August, back in early December, so I’m beyond having the pre-exisitng conditions waiver. This trip I’m most concerned about my 90-year-old father, who is not coming with us. Being that old, he does have medical issues. I was just told by TravelGuard that if he gets very sick and I would have to rush home, anything he has which is considered pre-exisitng would not be covered. Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation? Any recommendations? – E&B

Squaremouth’s Response

If your father is not traveling with you, not all policies require you to have pre-existing coverage like Travel Guard does. To find these types of policies, look under the definition of a “pre-existing condition”. If it defines a pre-existing condition as an illness or condition of someone booked to travel with you, then that’s the type of policy you want. This means that in the event you must cancel your trip or return home early, the insurance company will not look to see is the non-traveling family member’s condition is pre-existing.

Here is an example from Seven Corner’s Round Trip policy found on Squaremouth’s website: ”Pre-Existing Condition: means any injury, sickness or condition of You, or Your Traveling Companion, Your Family Member booked to travel with You for which within...”

Related posts:

1. Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
2. Does the pre-existing condition exclusion apply to a non traveling family member?
3. Does the pre-existing condition exclusion only apply to family members traveling with me?

Air Ambulance

No statement provided.

CSA Travel Protection

No statement provided.

Global Alert

No statement provided.

Global Rescue

No statement provided.

HCC Medical Insurance Services

No statement provided.

HTH Worldwide

No statement provided.

IMG

No statement provided.

iTravelInsured

The U.S. State Department has issued the following warnings:

1.      Syria (1/12/2012): The U.S. Department of State urges U.S. citizens currently in Syria to depart immediately while commercial transportation is available.  The number of airlines serving Syria has decreased significantly since the summer months, and many of the remaining airlines have reduced their number of flights.

2.      Egypt:  There are currently no travel warnings posted by the U.S. Department of State as of 1:53 pm on 2/06/2012.

Political unrest is not a covered peril under an iTravelInsured plan.

SECTION 5:  EXCLUSIONS

We will not pay for any Illness, Injury or loss caused by or as a result of:

2.         War or any act of war (whether declared or undeclared), civil disturbance, riot or insurrection.

Our programs do provide coverage for the following perils:

• ·         A Terrorist Incident, if You are scheduled to arrive at a Destination within 10 days following the Terrorist Incident and the Travel Supplier is not offering a substitute itinerary. Travel to any Destination for which travel warnings have been issued by the U.S. State Department at the time this coverage is purchased is excluded. Travel to any Destination in which such a Terrorist Incident has occurred in the 12 months prior to the date this coverage was purchased is excluded.

o   “Terrorist Incident” means  any violent act or an act that is dangerous to human life, property or infrastructure, that is committed, within 120 miles of a Destination, by any person or persons who appear to be part of an effort to coerce a civilian population or affect the conduct of any government by coercion.

• ·         Organized Labor Strike resulting in the complete cessation of services by a Travel Supplier for at least 24 consecutive hours.

o   “Organized Labor Strike” means any stoppage of work: (a) as a result of a combined effort of workers which was unannounced and unpublished at the time a Covered Trip was purchased; and (b) which interferes with the normal departure and arrival of a Common Carrier.  An Organized Labor Strike is no longer unannounced and unpublished beginning with the first day of an announced “cooling off period.”

Medjet Assist

No statement provided.

MH Ross

No statement provided.

Seven Corners

No statement provided.

Travel Guard

No statement provided.

Travel Insurance Services

No statement provided.

Travel Insured International

No statement provided.

Travelex

Coverage for Travel Basic, Travel Select, and Travel Max Made Easy

Travel Safe

No statement provided.

USA Assist

No statement provided.

Related posts:

1. Carrier Position Statements on the Civil Unrest in Egypt
2. Insurance Provider Position Statements on the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
3. Insurance Provider Statements on the Grimsvotn Volcanic Eruption in Iceland

Air France says it expects to maintain more than 85% of its long-haul flights and 80% of European flights when pilots, cabin crew and other personnel begin a four-day walkout today protest a government labor reform. The French airline did not say how many domestic flights it would have to cancel, and added that it may have to cancel some flights at the last minute. It is offering free rescheduling for passengers with tickets for travel Monday through Thursday. Feb. 6-9.

If your are not able to depart as a result of a strike, your travel insurance policy may cover you to cancel the trip and be reimbursed. Some travel insurance policies may also offer Travel Delay. Travel Delay will reimburse you for the cost of food, hotel and local transportation during the delay.

Always refer to the travel insurance certificate for details.

Source: USA Today

Related posts:

1. Statement from Travel Guard on the France General Strike
2. Strike in France Leads to Cancelled Flights
3. Statement from Travel Guard on the Spanish Airline Pilot Strike

For airlines, the skies over the New York City metropolitan area are the most sought after in the U.S.— and the most crowded. With roughly a third of all flights in the nation flying to, from or through the New York area, congestion there can lead to rippling delays that ground planes and frustrate passengers from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C.

Recognizing the critical role New York plays, federal and local officials are taking a series of steps to keep air traffic moving. New flight lanes are being carved in the skies, runways are being widened and limits are maintained on the number of flights that can take off and land at the region’s three major airports: LaGuardia, JFK and Newark.

Most plans include travel delay coverage.  The Travel Delay benefit reimburses the cost for food, hotel and local transportation during the delay.  Depending on the plan, there could be a requirement for how long a delay must be as well as daily and overall dollar limits of coverage.

When a delay causes someone to miss a connecting flight, missed connection coverage could also apply.  The additional transportation costs to catch up to the trip can be reimbursed by this coverage.

Look closely at different plans since some only offer this benefit for a missed cruise or tour departure, while other plans cover any missed departure.  Like travel delay coverage, this benefit can also requires a delay to last for several hours. More significant delays may cause the traveler to miss parts of their trip.  Arrangements that go unused and are not refunded can be reimbursed by trip cancellation or trip interruption coverage.

Always refer to the certificate of insurance for details.

Source: USA Today

Related posts:

1. CNN Discusses Airline Delays
2. St. Louis Air Traffic Returning to Normal After Storm
3. Travel Delays, the Best and the Worst Airlines

November 7, 2011

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for all your overseas trips.

The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or living in Egypt to the continuing possibility of sporadic unrest.  A series of elections for the lower and upper houses of parliament is scheduled to take place from November 2011 through March 2012.  Political rallies and demonstrations are likely to occur in the period leading up to and following the elections.  In the past nine months, demonstrations have degenerated on occasion into violent clashes between police and protesters, in some instances resulting in deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage.  U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security.  The security situation in most tourist centers, including Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea Resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh, continues to be calm.  This Travel Alert supersedes the Travel Alert dated April 28, 2011 and updates information on the security situation and upcoming elections.  This Travel Alert expires on April 1, 2012.

The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations in Egypt, as even peaceful ones can quickly become violent and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse.  Should security forces block off the area around the U.S. Embassy during demonstrations, U.S. citizens should not attempt to come to the U.S. Embassy during that time.  U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to carry identification and, if moving about alone, a cell phone or other means of communication that works in Egypt.

The U.S. Embassy is open for all routine American Citizens’ Services by appointment.  U.S. citizens needing emergency assistance do not need an appointment.  Visit theEmbassy website to check the latest changes to Embassy hours or services.  U.S. citizens with routine phone inquiries may call the Embassy’s American Citizens Services section at 2797-2301, Sunday to Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.  For emergencies after business hours and on weekends and holidays, U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Embassy switchboard on 2797-3300.  The U.S. Embassy is closed on U.S. federal holidays. U.S. citizens in Egypt are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Internet website at travel.state.gov where theWorldwide Caution, Country Specific Information for Egypt, Travel Warnings, andTravel Alerts can be found.  Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.  Download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Embassy in Egypt is located at 5 Tawfik Diab Street (formerly known as Latin America Street), Garden City, Cairo.  For emergencies after business hours and on weekends and holidays, U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Embassy switchboard on 2797-3300.

Related posts:

1. Travel Alert – Senegal
2. Travel Alert – Tunisia
3. Travel Alert – Chile

Suppliers Not Covered by New Enrollments Travelex Insurance Services and their underwriters have made a business decision to no longer accept enrollments and confirm coverage for travel with the following suppliers:

Supplier                          Effective Date

Adventure Link Tours – Canada July 10, 2009
Aero Canadian Tours & Travel Inc January 10, 2008
Aero Continente June 09, 2004
Aerocalifornia April 04, 2006
Air Comet December 22, 2009
Air Midwest January 15, 2008
Air Tanzania December 13, 2005
Albania August 06, 2010
Aloha Airlines March 20, 2008
Ambiance Vacations June 27, 2002
Belarus August 06, 2010
Bellview Airlines December 13, 2005
Bosnia and Herzegovina August 06, 2010
Burma August 06, 2010
Buynetfares.com April 03, 2007
By Land and By Sea May 28, 2007
Carib Aviation September 22, 2008
Caribbean Star Airlines January 09, 2007
Caribbean Sun Airlines January 09, 2007
Chanchangi Airlines December 13, 2005
Christian Pilgrim Tours October 13, 2006
Congo August 06, 2010
Congo, The Democratic Republic of The August 06, 2010
Conquest Vacations Inc April 15, 2009
Cote d’Ivoire August 06, 2010
Dialysis at Sea Cruises December 01, 2005
EAS Airline January 18, 2006
Elegant Cruises & Tours Inc – Port Washington, NY July 16, 2009
Endless Adventures – Utah April 22, 2009
EOS Airlines April 26, 2008
Etm Travel Group October 17, 2005
Exotique Expeditions (Ontario, Canada) August 04, 2006
Fantasy Holidays (Jericho, NY) November 07, 2005
Festival of Asia, California November 22, 2005
First Class Travel, NY July 15, 2004
First European Cruises January 27, 2004
Fitzgerald Cruises & Tours October 09, 2003
Flight Options Limited August 17, 2010
Ghana Airways July 29, 2004
Grand Luxe Rail Journeys August 27, 2008
Great American River Journeys December 22, 2005
Happy Vacations April 20, 2009
Hobbit Travel December 22, 2009
I.T. Travel Inc, Terre Haute IN October 01, 2009
Iran, Islamic Republic of August 06, 2010
Iraq August 06, 2010
Italiatour July 08, 2005
Jet-A-Way August 01, 2007
JetAmerica July 17, 2009
Kosovo August 06, 2010
Lebanon January 20, 2011
Legend Tours September 12, 2005
Liberia August 06, 2010
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of August 06, 2010
Mile Hi Tours June 07, 2006
Montenegro & Serbia August 06, 2010
Myanmar August 06, 2010
Nationwide Airlines April 29, 2008
Nomads Inc – Michigan Corporation February 25, 2011
North Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of August 06, 2010
Nuevo Continente August 30, 2004
Oasis April 09, 2008
One-Two-Go airline July 08, 2008
Optimum Travel July 15, 2004
Renaissance Pilgrimages May 28, 2010
Rt Tours July 20, 2004
Serbia August 06, 2010
Serbia and Montenegro August 06, 2010
SkyEurope Airlines September 01, 2009
Skyservice Airlines March 31, 2010
Somalia January 20, 2011
Sosoliso Airlines December 13, 2005
South Star Tours October 06, 2010
Spanair January 30, 2012
Spirit Tours, La Jolla CA October 08, 2008
Sudan August 06, 2010
Suntrips December 22, 2005
Symphonic Voyages Inc December 19, 2011
Syrian Arab Republic August 06, 2010
The French Experience October 24, 2003
TMA September 30, 2005
Tour Tech International January 22, 2009
Tradewind Tours, Upsala MN August 15, 2005
TRANSAIR November 28, 2006
Travac January 30, 2003
Travel Connection, Portland OR March 11, 2010
Traveland.com April 03, 2007
United States Line September 29, 2001
Vintage Props & Jets July 18, 2008
Windjammer Barefoot Cruises October 01, 2007
World Travel Vignettes Inc. May 11, 2007
Zimbabwe August 06, 2010

Suppliers Not Covered by Bankruptcy / Default Protection Travelex Insurance Services and their underwriters are not providing Bankruptcy / Default protection for the following suppliers:

Supplier                 Effective Date

Aer Lingus March 09, 2010
Aerolineas Argentinas November 24, 2005
Alitalia October 12, 2006
Aloha Airlines March 20, 2008
American Airlines November 29, 2011
ATA Airlines April 02, 2008
AVIANCA March 21, 2003
Carib Aviation September 22, 2008
Champion Air March 31, 2008
Coast Air January 23, 2008
Creative Leisure Intl October 06, 2008
Cruise West July 20, 2010
EOS Airlines April 26, 2008
Farequest Holdings, Inc. July 11, 2006
FS Tours, Inc. July 11, 2006
Globespan December 13, 2009
JAL/Japan Airlines January 19, 2010
MAXjet Airways December 24, 2007
Mesa Airlines May 23, 2008
Mexicana August 02, 2010
Nationwide Airlines April 29, 2008
Oasis April 09, 2008
Polar Star Cruises May 16, 2011
Regina Tours September 24, 2003
Silverjet May 23, 2008 Skybus Airline April 04, 2008
Skyway Airline April 04, 2008
Spirit Tours, La Jolla CA October 08, 2008
Sun Country Airlines October 06, 2008
Tour Tech International January 22, 2009
Varig June 17, 2005

Related posts:

1. Travelex Travel Supplier Restrictions
2. Travelex Travel Supplier Restrictions as of 01/26/2009
3. Travelex Travel Supplier Restrictions As of April 29 2009

January 10, 2012

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for all your overseas trips.

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to the South Pacific region about the ongoing threat of tropical cyclones affecting the area.  While tropical cyclones in the South Pacific may occur throughout the year, the South Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season began on November 1 and ends April 30.  U.S. citizens living in or traveling to the region should monitor local weather reports and take other appropriate action as needed.  This Travel Alert replaces the South Pacific Cyclone Season Travel Alert issued on December 1, 2011 to incorporate technical edits and expires on April 30, 2012.

Each tropical cyclone season, the South Pacific region experiences approximately nine tropical cyclones, about half of which reach Category 3 intensity, or above, and have the potential to cause severe destruction.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends that people living or traveling in regions prone to tropical storms and tropical cyclones be prepared; for further information about tropical cyclone preparedness, please visit NOAA’s Tropical Cyclones Preparedness Guide at:  http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/hurricane/resources/TropicalCyclones11.pdf.

Severe tropical cyclones have caused death, injury, and extensive property damage.  Many U.S. citizens traveling in this region during tropical cyclone season were forced to delay their return to the United States or other travel because of infrastructure damage to airports and limited flight availability.  Roads were washed out or blocked by debris, impeding access to airports and land routes out of affected areas.  In the event of a tropical cyclone, you may not be able to depart an affected area for 24 to 48 hours or more, particularly if you are residing in or visiting a South Pacific Island country where air service is limited.

You also may encounter uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous conditions after storms pass.  In many places, tropical cyclones are often accompanied by damaging high tides and flooding.  If you are living or staying close to the ocean or other bodies of water, you may be at higher risk.  Landslides and mudslides also are a serious concern during periods of heavy rain.  Looting and sporadic violence sometimes occur after natural disasters.  Be sure to check with local authorities for safety and security updates.  Weather conditions or damage to infrastructure may delay or prevent needed assistance from U.S. embassy and host country security personnel.

If the damage in the aftermath of a storm requires evacuation, the Department of State and our embassies and consulates overseas work to identify and recommend the safest and most efficient means of travel away from the disaster.  Commercial airlines are the best, and often least expensive, source of transportation in an evacuation.  The Department arranges other means of transport, including U.S. military support, only as a last resort when commercial transportation is completely unavailable.  The Department of State does not provide free transportation, but it has the authority to provide you a loan to return to the United States if you are in financial need. You should always obtain travel insurance to cover unexpected expenses during an emergency, as well as medical insurance with provision for emergency medical evacuations to the United States.  Commercial medical evacuations can cost $100,000 or more, and may not be covered by your insurance.

If you are living in or traveling to storm-prone regions overseas, you should prepare by organizing a kit containing a supply of bottled water, non-perishable food items, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and vital documents, including your passport, and/or birth certificate and other photo identification, in a waterproof container.  Emergency shelters often have access only to basic resources and limited medical and food supplies.

Be sure to monitor local media to stay aware of weather developments.  For further information on tropical cyclone warnings in the South Pacific region, please consult the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu at http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC and the National Weather Service’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center,http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/cphc, Fiji’s regional meteorological center responsible for tropical cyclone warnings in the South Pacific region at http://www.met.gov.fj/, or the Government of Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology at http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone.

Minor tropical storms can develop into tropical cyclones very quickly, limiting the time available for you to evacuate safely.  Tell family and friends in the United States of your whereabouts, and keep in close contact with your tour operator, hotel staff, and local officials for evacuation instructions in the event of a weather emergency.  Please protect your travel and identity documents against loss or damage, as the need to replace lost documentation could delay or otherwise complicate your return to the United States.

We encourage all U.S. citizens abroad to enroll with the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at travel.state.gov/step or with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  By enrolling, you can receive the embassy’s or consulate’s most recent safety and security updates during your trip.  Enrolling also ensures that we can reach you, or your designated emergency points of contact, during an emergency.  Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution.  Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.  While consular officers will do their utmost to assist you in a crisis, please be aware that local authorities have primary responsibility for the welfare of people living or traveling in their jurisdictions.

Related posts:

1. Travel Warning – Republic of South Sudan
2. Travel Alert – Philippines
3. Travel Alert – Chile

January 10, 2012

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for all your overseas trips.

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for civil unrest and disturbances in Senegal prior to and directly following the upcoming Presidential elections scheduled for February 26, 2012. Political demonstrations in June of 2011 were particularly violent, and as certain dates in the election cycle (listed below) come to pass, the potential for similar confrontations exists. Please note the U.S. Embassy in Dakar has requested that all non-essential travel to Senegal by U.S. officials be deferred from January 16 through March 2, 2012. This Travel Alert expires March 2, 2012.

U.S. citizens should be aware of certain dates in the election cycle as these may be focal points for demonstrations. From December 26 through January 26, candidates may file their papers to run in the election. January 27 is the date by which Senegal’s Constitutional Council must rule on a candidates’ eligibility and publish a final candidates list. February 6 is the official start of the campaign period, and February 26 is the scheduled date for the first round of voting. If a candidate does not win more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round, a second round of voting will occur on March 18.

U.S. citizens planning to travel to Senegal during and immediately following the elections should monitor local news, assess local conditions and travel routes, and consult Embassy Dakar’s website for Emergency Messages to U.S. Citizens.

For U.S. citizens residing in Senegal, the U.S. Embassy recommends that you take this opportunity to ensure that passports for all family members are up to date. U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a photocopy of their passports with them at all times so that, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and citizenship is readily available. If detained or arrested, U.S. citizens should ask to be allowed to contact the U.S. Embassy.

The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid demonstrations, political rallies, and spontaneous gatherings in Senegal. While most demonstrations in Senegal are non-violent, the potential for violence exists, particularly from now until the first round of the scheduled Presidential elections. We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence without much advance warning. U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

You can stay in touch and receive Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy Dakar website. Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler i-Phone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

If you are going to live in or travel to Senegal, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

The U.S. Embassy in Dakar is located on at Avenue Jean XXIII, Dakar; the mailing address is B.P. 49, Dakar, Senegal. If you have questions or concerns about safety or related issues, you are encouraged to contact the consular section at the Embassy by sending an email message to consulardakar@state.gov. The Embassy telephone number is (221) 33-829-2100. For After Hours Emergency, please call Tel: (221) 33-829-2209 and ask to speak to the duty officer.

Related posts:

1. Travel Alert – Chile
2. Travel Alert – Tunisia
3. Travel Alert – Eqypt

January 10, 2012

Squaremouth recommends travel insurance for all your overseas trips.

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to the Philippines to difficult conditions in the flood-affected areas of the southern part of the Philippines, particularly the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte, which include the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, respectively. The Philippine government has declared a state of emergency (the official Philippine terminology is “state of calamity”) for the region. The Department of State recommends against all but essential travel to the affected areas. This Travel Alert extends only to the areas of the Philippines listed in the following paragraph. This Travel Alert will expire on February 5, 2012.

Tropical Storm Washi (known locally as Tropical Storm Sendong) brought exceptionally heavy rainfall and produced extensive flooding in heavily-populated coastal areas throughout many provinces in the southern part of the Philippines. Flooding and landslides have caused significant loss of life and damage to property. The affected areas include the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro in the province of Misamis Oriental and, to a lesser extent, towns in 12 additional provinces: Capiz, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Although the floodwaters have receded, destroyed bridges and blocked roads have hampered transportation and limited access to some essential services in the affected regions. There are reports of shortages of bottled water and food, and disruptions to communication, transportation, and power services. These disruptions increase the risk of waterborne disease. It is unclear how long these conditions will last. U.S. citizens in the affected areas should follow the advice of local authorities, monitor local media, and refer to the U.S. Embassy web page for specific information.

U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in the Philippines are encouraged to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, you make it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact you in case of an emergency.

U.S. citizens living in the Philippines should contact the U.S. Embassy in Manila for the most up-to-date information. The American Citizen Services Unit is located in the Embassy at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, and can be reached by calling 63-2-301-2000, or by e-mailing acsinfomanila@state.gov. The Embassy’s after-hours emergency telephone number is 63-2-301-2000.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Related posts:

1. Travel Warning – Philippines
2. Travel Warning – Philippines
3. Travel Warning – Philippines