The US state department added at least 116 countries this week to its “Level Four: Do Not Travel” advisory list, including nearly every country in the Middle East.
The only country excluded from the level four status was Morocco, which sits at level three, warning Americans to reconsider travel.
On Monday, the state department said it would boost the number of countries receiving its highest advisory rating to about 80 per cent of countries worldwide.
Before Tuesday, the state department listed 34 out of about 200 countries as “Do Not Travel.”
The countries previously included were Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen.
The state department now lists 150 countries at level four.
Here are the travel advisories for each country in the region:
UAE
The advisory for the UAE was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Tuesday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a level four travel health notice “indicating a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.”
Due to risks involving “civil aviation operating within the [Arabian Gulf] and the Gulf of Oman region,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also issued an advisory for the UAE.
Saudi Arabia
The advisory for Saudi Arabia was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
US citizens were advised not to travel to Saudi Arabia due to Covid-19 and the “threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities.”
“Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to terrorism,” said a statement on the state department website.
Saudi Arabia has been issued a level four travel health notice by the CDC.
Authorities advised Americans in Saudi Arabia to avoid the following locations due to “missile and drone attacks and terrorism”:
Within 50 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border, as well as the cities of Abha, Jizan, Najran, and Khamis Mushayt
Abha airport
Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah
Oman
The advisory for Oman was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
Oman is listed as a level four country by the CDC, “indicating a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.”
Americans are advised to avoid the Yemen border area “due to terrorism and armed conflict.”
“Crossing the border into Yemen can be dangerous, and US citizens who attempt to cross the Oman-Yemen border, from either Oman or Yemen, may be detained by Omani authorities,” warned the state department.
Bahrain
The advisory for Bahrain was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Tuesday, with the state department warning Americans against increased Covid-19 in the country.
Due to risks involving “civil aviation operating within the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region,” the FAA also issued an advisory for Bahrain.
Kuwait
The advisory for Kuwait was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday, with the CDC indicating a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.
Americans were warned to avoid “the desert region near the border with Iraq due to the prevalence of unexploded ordnance”
The state department also advised Americans exercise increased caution in the Jeleeb Al Shuyoukh area in Kuwait City due to crime.
Qatar
The advisory for Qatar was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC has listed Qatar as a level four country due to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.”
The FAA also issued an advisory for Qatar due to risks involving “civil aviation operating within the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region.”
Iran
The advisory for Iran continued to be at a level 4 the CDC issued a Level 4 health notice due to Covid-19 indicating a very high level of Covid-19 in the country. The State department also warns Americans of risks of kidnapping, arrest and detention of US citizens.
Algeria
The travel advisory for Algeria was changed to “Do not travel” on Wednesday. The CDC issued a travel health notice for Algeria due to Covid-19 and warned that there were unknown levels of Covid-19 in the country. The State department also added that Americans should avoid travel to Algeria due to terrorism
Egypt
The advisory for Egypt was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC has listed Egypt as a level four country due to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.” The State department also urged Americans to exercise increased caution in Egypt due to terrorism and limited ability to assist arrested or detained dual nationals.
Iraq
The advisory for Iraq was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC has listed Iraq as a level four country due to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.” The State department also warns Americans of the high risks of violence and kidnapping as well as threats of terrorist and insurgent groups.
The advisory for Israel was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC has listed Israel as a level four country due to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.” The State department also warns Americans of potential travel restrictions, strict quarantine procedures, armed conflict and civil unrest.
Jordan
The advisory for Jordan was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC has listed Jordan as a level four country due to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.” The State department also warns Americans of some terrorism concerns. Jordan is in the midst of a spike in covid cases and has struggled to get control of the virus.
Lebanon
The advisory for Lebanon was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC has listed Lebanon as a level four country due to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.” The State department asks Americans to reconsider travel warning of crime. Terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest. Lebanon has seen a lot of political turmoil over the last year leading to nationwide protests
Libya
The advisory for Libya was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC has listed Libya as a level four country due to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.” The State department asks Americans to reconsider travel warning of crime. Terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest.
Syria
The advisory for Syria was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC has listed Syria as a level four country due to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.” The State department warns Americans over travel to Syria due to terrorism, armed conflict and possibility of unjust detention.
Tunisia
The advisory for Tunisia was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC has listed Tunisia as a level four country due to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.” The State department warns Americans over travel due to terrorism and also mentions avoiding travel to high risk areas like the border with Libya, the country’s mountainous areas and the desert south of Remada.
Turkey
The advisory for Turkey was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC has listed Turkey as a level four country due to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.” The State department warns Americans over travel due to the possibly of arbitrary detentions.
Yemen
The advisory for Yemen was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC has listed Yemen as a level four country due to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.” The State department warns Americans over travel due to the terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict, and landmine. The US embassy has not be active in Yemen since 2015 when it closed therefore there is very little the US can do should Americans face an emergency.