How Many Levels of Travel Warnings Are There?

What did a 2011 article explain?

Travel warnings run roughly 1–5 levels, generally three tiers: “alerts,” “advisories” and “warnings.” Level 1 Travel Alerts: short-term or sudden factors — natural disasters, terror attacks, coups, riots — flagging risk to nationals abroad; Hong Kong then had alerts for Egypt, Greece, India, Israel, Madagascar, Thailand and Yemen, urging travellers to watch developments and avoid crowds. Level 2 Travel Advisories: worsening, persistent factors with more urgent tone — reconsider whether travel is necessary. Level 3 Travel Warnings: long-term danger or instability, or embassies forced to close — leave immediately.

Why pay attention?

Thailand’s political turmoil and Mexico’s swine flu (H1N1) struck in succession; for holders of passports from widely-targeted countries, ignoring warnings can be fatal.

What should you do before departing?

Beyond weather and travel insurance, check the Security Bureau’s outbound alerts, ask your travel agent and airline, and confirm your insurance still covers the destination.