The US Embassy in Niger highlighted the country’s Level 4 advisory on Thursday, July 9. The State Department updated its separate warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday, July 15.
Level 4 is the department’s highest advisory and means Americans should not travel to either country.
Niger’s advisory cites terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, civil unrest, and limited medical care.
The State Department ordered non-emergency US government employees and their families to leave Niger earlier this year. The government cannot provide routine or emergency assistance to Americans outside the capital of Niamey.
Foreigners traveling beyond Niamey must obtain military escorts. US government employees must use armored vehicles, follow a mandatory curfew, and avoid restaurants and open-air markets.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo advisory cites crime, unrest, terrorism, kidnapping, inadequate health infrastructure, and an expanding Ebola outbreak.
The warning also carries an extraordinary travel restriction.
Anyone who has been in the country within 21 days of a US-bound flight cannot board. That restriction includes American citizens and nationals.
Americans must remain outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 21 days before boarding a commercial flight to the US.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the restrictions in guidance updated Thursday, July 23. The agency said the outbreak’s full scope is rapidly evolving.
The State Department also warned that its ability to provide emergency assistance is limited, especially outside Kinshasa.
Level 4 advisories ordinarily warn against travel but do not legally prevent Americans from visiting a country. The Ebola-related flight restriction is a separate public-health measure that directly affects the return trip.
Americans traveling abroad should review destination-specific advisories and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for security alerts and emergency assistance.
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