Level 2 Travel Advisory For France Reaffirmed by State Department

The US State Department updated its Level 2 Travel Advisory on December 26, 2018, for Americans visiting France. 

This Level 2 Travel Advisory, Exercise Increased Precaution, is for France countrywide. 

This is important news since 2 million Americans visited France during 2017. 

The State Department says ‘Security measures in France remain heightened due to ongoing threats posed by transnational terrorist organizations and individuals inspired by extremist ideology throughout Europe.’ 

Extremists continue to focus on tourist locations such as holiday markets, shopping malls, airports, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, transportation hubs, and other soft targets frequented by Westerners. 

If you decide to travel to France, U.S. citizens should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations, and follow these recommendations: 

Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and large crowded public venues,

• Follow the instructions of local authorities including movement restrictions related to any police action,
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter,
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for France,
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Previously, on December 22, 2018, the US Embassy in Paris issued a security notice for visiting  Americans. If Americans need assistance during their visit to Paris, they can contact the Embassy by calling +33 (1) 43 12 22 22. 

Additionally, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says American travelers to France should ensure they are immunized against measles. 

This CDC warning is related to an ongoing measles virus outbreak in various sections of France, and throughout Europe.   

Measles is a disease that can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia, and even death. It is caused by a highly-contagious virus that is spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing says the CDC. 

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

Additionally, the CDC suggests Americans visiting France should be up-to-date on routine vaccines, such as diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, polio, hepatitis, and the annual influenza vaccination. 

Americans can schedule a pre-trip counseling session with a local pharmacy at Vax-Before-Travel.   

And, vaccine discounts can be found here.   

Vaccines, like any medication, can cause side effects, says the CDC.