Is it safe to travel to Jamaica? What Wisconsinites should know about the U.S. travel advisory
The U.S. State Department recently issued a travel advisory warning citizens to reconsider their travel plans to Jamaica due to surges in crime and lacking medical services.
If you're planning your spring and summer vacations, here's what you need to know about the travel advisories to Jamaica and other destinations:
What are the 4 levels of travel advisories?
Level 1: Exercise normal precautions: The lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel.
Level 2: Exercise increased caution: Be aware of heightened risk to safety and security.
Level 3: Reconsider travel: Avoid travel due to serious risk and security.
Level 4: Do not travel: Highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.
Jamaica travel advisory 2024
The State Department issued a level three travel advisory on Jan. 23 for Jamaica for crime and lacking medical services.
Is it safe to travel to Jamaica?
Travelers should reconsider their trip to Jamaica due to crime and medical services, according to the State Department. Local police do not respond effectively to serious crimes, and when arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted, according to the advisory. Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults and homicides are common.
Emergency services and hospital care varies throughout the island, and the public hospitals are under-resourced and cannot always provide high level care, according to the advisory.
The State Department encourages travelers to obtain traveler's insurance, including medical evacuation insurance before traveling to Jamaica. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid does not apply overseas, and most hospitals do not accept U.S. health insurance.
More: Tourists to all-inclusive resorts in Mexico suspect they were given tainted alcohol
Other countries with Level 4 travel warnings:
Countries with Level 3 travel warnings:
Planning on traveling abroad? Here are some safety tips:
The State Department advises citizens to sign up for their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts and to make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for the country you're planning to visit.
The State Department also recommends preparing a contingency plan for any emergency situations. Review their Traveler's Checklist.
You can also visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to your destination.
Still making your vacation plans? Here's some non-stop flights leaving Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport
New nonstop flight are leaving Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in 2024. Southwest is offering nonstop flights to Cancun (CUN) from March 9 to April 7, and will offer nonstop flights to San Diego starting June 8.
American Airlines started nonstop flights to Miami (MIA) on Nov. 4. The airline upgraded the flight to daily nonstop service starting on Dec. 21 and they're scheduled to run through April 4.
For a full list of cities you can visit nonstop from the Milwaukee airport, visit www.mitchellairport.com.
More: Mitchell International airport is offering $19 nonstop flights to Philadelphia this spring
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: U.S. issues travel advisory for Jamaica for crime, medical services
