State Dept. Warning

From USA Today:

"Coronavirus: State Department tells Americans: 'Do not travel' abroad, come home if overseas”

The State Department told Americans not to travel abroad at all, the strongest U.S. alert yet as novel coronavirus continued its steady march across the globe. The department on Thursday issued Level 4 advisory for travel abroad — "do not travel" — only four days after it issued a Level 3 advisory — "reconsider travel." "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 advisory said.  "U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel." The advisory came as the number of cases have multiplied: More than 11,000 in the United States out of 236,000 worldwide. The global death toll also neared 10,000 on Thursday, including 157 in the United States. The advisory is not a mandate; Americans can still leave the U.S.  But they do so at their own risk. Hundreds of Americans have been stranded overseas amid a global freeze on international travel and mass quarantines sparked by the coronavirus pandemic. Besieged by pleas for help, the State Department and its embassies around the world have offered little to no assistance, these stranded travelers say. "I can't help but feel we are abandoned," Chris Pierce, who is stuck in the Philippines with his wife and 9-year-old son, told USA TODAY.  "I'm a realistic person, I do realize they are probably overwhelmed," Pierce said. "But at the same time, all U.S. citizens should be a priority." A State Department official, who was not authorized to speak on the record, said the agency could not provide an estimate of how many Americans are trying to get back to the U.S. from overseas amid the COVID-19 outbreak.  The official said the State Department is considering all options to assist U.S. citizens, and that it is continuously assessing travel conditions in all areas affected by COVID-19.  "Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips," the advisory said. "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."

^ This level was inevitable. People (Americans, Canadians, etc.) should have already been planning to either stay where they are or return to their home countries at least a week ago. Hopefully those that still want to come home can and those that are staying where they are won’t have any issues. ^

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2020/03/19/coronavirus-state-department-will-warn-americans-not-travel-abroad/2875335001/