Haiti Travel Warnings Affirmed

The Canadian government has issued an ‘Avoid Non-Essential Travel’ advisory for the island country of Haiti, due to the potential for civil unrest. 

This May 17, 2019, Canada travel advisory said ‘Haiti’s security situation could deteriorate quickly.’ 

Previously, the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory for Haiti, on April 9, 2019. The U.S. government said ‘it has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in some areas of Haiti.’ 

And, the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued foreign travel advice in February 2019 against all but essential travel to Haiti due to the current unstable and dangerous security situation.

This is unfortunate news since Haiti s expected to grow its tourism industry by 0.6 percent in 2019, and attract 481,000 international tourist arrivals. The most successful tourism “hot spot” is Labadie, near Cap Haitian, where Royal Caribbean Cruise lines maintain a private beach exclusively for its cruise passengers.   

If you decide to travel to Haiti, the State Department says: 

• Avoid demonstrations. Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks.
• Do not provide personal information to unauthorized individuals located in the immigration, customs, or other areas inside or near any airports in Haiti.
• As you leave the airport, make sure you are not being followed. If you notice you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station immediately.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations, such as this Traveler’s Checklist.
• If Americans need assistance, the US Embassy is located at Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with a phone number of 011-509-2229-8000. 

From a health perspective, the Public Health Agency of Canada has issued advice for travelers on the Zika virus, recommending pregnant women and those considering becoming pregnant should avoid traveling to Haiti.   

Additionally, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its travel guidance on May 17, 2019, when visiting Haiti. 

The CDC says to ensure you are up-to-date on several Routine Vaccines before visiting Haiti.

Additionally, the CDC suggests these travel vaccinations: Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Rabies, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever. 

These vaccines, related medications, and pre-trip counseling appointments can be scheduled at Vax-Before-Travel.