Canada issues new travel advisories for summer vacationers

With summer officially kicking off today, those looking to escape for a while on vacation might first want to check out the most recent travel advisories from the Canadian government.

The Travel Advice and Advisories page helps Canadians make informed travel decisions when looking to get out of Canada for some leisure time. It constantly studies trends and incidents occurring internationally to monitor global events that numerous credible sources have monitored. 

The Travel Advice and Advisories page was updated this week. Here are some of the countries with new or updated advisories:

France

Risks: Elevated threat of domestic riots due to elections 

Reasons: On March 24, 2024, the Prime Minister of France raised the security threat level within the “Vigipirate” plan to “urgence attentat” (“attack emergency”). This is the highest level in the Vigipirate plan, a set of measures to prepare and protect the population and public places.

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According to information provided by the Government of Canada, legislative elections are set to occur in France between June 30 and July 7, 2024. As a result, political rallies and demonstrations are anticipated to occur before, during, and after the elections. Authorities urge Canadian travellers to avoid areas where demonstrations and protests are active. 

Additionally, the Olympic Games are set to take place in Paris from July 26 to Aug. 11, followed by the Paralympic Games from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, 2024. During the Olympic Games, especially in Paris, travellers can anticipate increased security forces, major disruptions to traffic and movement and large crowds and public gatherings.

Mexico

Risks: Elevated threat level due to criminal activity and kidnapping 

Reasons: Regional authorities are relaying to international travellers to apply a high degree of caution when travelling through Mexico due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping. A Regional Advisory is urging all vacationers not to engage in non-essential travel due to the increased risk of organized crime.

States and cities to be avoided include:

• Chiapas (excluding the cities of Palenque via Highway 186 from Villahermosa, San Cristobal de las Casas and Tuxtla Gutiérrez)
• Chihuahua (excluding Chihuahua City)
• Colima (excluding the city of Manzanillo if accessed by air
• Guanajuato
• Guerrero (excluding the cities of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo if accessed by air
• Jalisco ((within 50 km of the border with Michoacán state)
• The Lagunas de Zempoala National Park in Morelos
• Michoacán (excluding the cities of Morelia and Patzcuaro)
• Nayarit (within 20 km of the border with the states of Sinaloa and Durango)
• Nuevo León (excluding the city of Monterrey)
• Sinaloa (excluding the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlán)
• Sonora (excluding the cities of Hermosillo, Guaymas/San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco)
• Tamaulipas (excluding the cities of Tampico and Recce)
• All Zacatecas (excluding Zacatecas City)

Cuba

Risks: Travel health notice for Oropouche fever in the Americas 

Reasons: Travel authorities urge Canadians to exercise caution in Cuba due to food, medicine and fuel shortages. This combined with the emergence of Oropouche fever in the region makes safe travel all the more urgent. Additional risks in Cuba this summer include petty crimes in the region, tourist-focused frauds and supply shortages. 

According to the Government of Canada, Basic amenities that may be scarcely available are:

• Food
• Bottled water
• Public water supply
• Medication
• Fuel
• Hard-currency

Germany 

Risks: Exercise a high degree of caution in Germany due to EURO 2024

Reasons: According to Canadian travel authorities, Germany is actively hosting the UEFA EURO 2024 soccer tournament from June 14 to July 14, 2024. 

Games are scheduled to take place in ten cities across the country.

Due to the ongoing tournament, regional authorities indicate that theft typically increases around these major sporting events. Perpetrators often target tourists, while post-game celebrations and confrontations between opposing fans may lead to aggravated behaviour.

Dominican Republic

Risks: Elevated threat level due to border closures with Haiti

Reasons: On March 5, 2024, the Government of the Dominican Republic closed its air border with Haiti, and according to Canadian travel authorities, sea borders with Haiti also remain closed to travellers.

Federal authorities remind potential travellers that the  Embassy of Canada in Santo Domingo cannot help you enter the Dominican Republic from Haiti. Additional threats to Canadian travellers in the region include crimes, petty thefts and fraudulent activity. 

The Canadian Travel Advice and Advisories page also indicates that most in-person crime in the area occurs at:

• Resorts
• Beaches
• Airports
• Bus stations
• Public transportation

See the website here for a complete list of advisories and further information.