United Kingdom Level 2 Travel Advisory Issued

The US Department of State issued a Level 2 Travel Advisory for USA citizens when visiting the United Kingdom. 

This ‘Exercise Increased Caution’ Advisory was issued on April 22, 2019, and is related to various groups plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom. 

These potential attacks could be with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. 

There is also a risk of isolated concern regarding dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets. 

According to the UK.GOV website, the threat to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from international terrorism is ‘severe’, as of April 22, 2019. 

Previously, the Canadian government issued an 'Exercise a High Degree of Caution' Advisory when visiting the United Kingdom, on April 17, 2019. 

The US State Department says if you decide to visit the United Kingdom: 

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues,
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information,
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) 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.

The Embassy of the United States of America is located at 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US, United Kingdom. 

Further, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on March 29, 2019, that there is an outbreak of measles in England.

Which means travelers to England should be vaccinated against measles with the MMR or Proquad vaccines. 

The CDC suggests other travel-related vaccinations prior to visiting the UK. Travel vaccine and medication counseling sessions can be scheduled at Vax-Before-Travel.

Relevant Links: CDC vaccination schedules, CDC vaccine price list, international travel alerts, and report vaccine side effects.