Search

U.S. State Department: Republic of the Congo Level 2 Travel Advisory

The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for the Republic of the Congo: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. It notes that while not common, violent crime such as armed robbery and assault remains a concern throughout the country. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside Brazzaville. U.S. government employees must use two vehicles for all overland travel outside Brazzaville. In Pointe-Noire, they are restricted to beaches adjacent to their hotels due to crime. Recommendations include avoiding demonstrations, using caution when walking or driving at night, carrying a copy of passport and visa while keeping origina…

Impact and considerations

The advisory addresses crime risk and emergency service limitations, offering reference for business travelers and corporate travel safety policies for the Republic of the Congo.

U.S. State Department: Angola Level 2 Travel Advisory

The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Angola: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime, health, unrest and landmines. It notes that violent crime such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking and homicide is common, and local police lack resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Health facilities are under-resourced and may lack basic vaccines or medications, especially outside large cities. Recommendations include always traveling with required medicines and written prescriptions, not physically resisting robbery, using caution when walking or driving at night, keeping a low profile, and enrolling in STEP.

Impact and considerations

The advisory addresses crime, health and landmine risks, offering reference for business travelers and corporate travel safety policies for Angola.

U.S. State Department: Kingdom of Denmark Level 2 Travel Advisory

The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for the Kingdom of Denmark: Exercise Increased Caution due to terrorism. It notes that terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the Kingdom of Denmark, which can occur with little or no warning and could target tourist spots, transport hubs, markets/shopping malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of religious importance, parks, major sporting and cultural events, schools, airports and other public areas. The Kingdom of Denmark consists of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Recommendations include being aware of surroundings at tourist locations and crowded public venues, following lo…

Impact and considerations

The advisory addresses terrorism risk, offering reference for business travelers and corporate travel safety policies for the Kingdom of Denmark.

U.S. State Dept: French West Indies Level 1 Normal Precautions

The U.S. Department of State reissued its French West Indies travel advisory on Aug 22, 2024 after a periodic review with minor edits, keeping it at Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The advisory covers Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy. The Department recommends enrolling in STEP, reviewing the Country Security Report for the French Caribbean, preparing a contingency plan, and consulting CDC travel health information.

Impact and considerations

A Level 1 rating means the risk posture is unchanged, so no itinerary changes are needed, but travel managers should still confirm STEP enrollment and emergency contact plans for staff.

U.S. State Department: Sint Maarten Remains Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions

The U.S. Department of State reissued its Sint Maarten travel advisory on August 19, 2024, keeping it at Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) after a periodic review with no changes. The advisory references enrolling in STEP, reviewing the Country Security Report for the Dutch Caribbean, preparing a contingency plan, and consulting CDC travel health information.

Impact and considerations

The unchanged Level 1 rating indicates a stable security posture in Sint Maarten, keeping business-travel risk low and requiring no immediate corporate travel policy adjustments.

U.S. State Dept: Aruba Level 1 Normal Precautions Unchanged

The U.S. Department of State reissued its Aruba travel advisory on Aug 19, 2024 after a periodic review without changes, keeping it at Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). The Department recommends STEP enrollment, reviewing the Country Security Report for the Dutch Caribbean, preparing a contingency plan, and consulting CDC travel health information.

Impact and considerations

Both the level and content are unchanged, indicating a stable safety posture in Aruba with no itinerary adjustments needed; travel managers can continue with existing risk protocols.

U.S. State Department: Netherlands at Level 2 Due to Terrorism Risk

The U.S. Department of State reissued its Netherlands travel advisory on August 9, 2024, keeping it at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) due to terrorism after a periodic review with no changes. The advisory notes terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Travelers are advised to be aware of their surroundings, stay alert in crowded locations, follow local authority instructions, monitor local media, and enroll in STEP.

Impact and considerations

The Netherlands remains at Level 2 with a persistent terrorism risk, requiring business travelers to be mindful of security in crowded locations and corporate travel policies to incorporate related risk assessments.

U.S. State Department: Palau Remains Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions

The U.S. Department of State reissued its Palau travel advisory on August 6, 2024, keeping it at Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) after a periodic review with no changes. The advisory references enrolling in STEP, following the Embassy on Facebook, reviewing the Country Security Report, consulting CDC travel health information, preparing a contingency plan, and reviewing the Traveler's Checklist.

Impact and considerations

The unchanged Level 1 rating indicates a stable security posture in Palau, keeping business-travel risk low and requiring no immediate corporate travel policy adjustments.

What Is Per Diem and How Does It Work for Business Travel?

SAP Concur published an article explaining what per diem is and how it works, covering three common expense categories: lodging, meals, and incidentals. The article describes fixed allowances and reimbursable allowances, as well as a mixed model, and notes that many organizations base rates on federal per diem rates published by the GSA or IRS, with the U.S. Department of State providing benchmarks for international travel. It also discusses pre-approvals, advances, international compliance configurations, and the benefits and limitations of per diem.

U.S. State Department: Eritrea at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" advisory for Eritrea, citing travel restrictions, limited consular assistance, landmines, and wrongful detentions. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Eritrea, and U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel outside Asmara. U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, have been arrested and detained without charge or on false charges, and the Department has determined that a risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by the Eritrean government exists. Eritrean law enforcement officials routinely block U.S. government officials' access t…

Impact and considerations

Limited consular assistance, the risk of wrongful detention, and landmines in remote areas may affect safety assessments and emergency-evacuation planning for staff in or travelling to Eritrea.

Zambia - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory for Zambia at Level 1, recommending normal precautions. The advisory was reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Recommendations include enrolling in STEP, following the Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Zambia on social media, reviewing the Country Security Report, preparing a contingency plan, and checking CDC travel health information.

Impact and considerations

This advisory provides official safety guidance for business travelers to Zambia, emphasizing STEP enrollment and contingency planning, which helps companies fulfill duty of care.

Eritrea - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory for Eritrea at Level 2, recommending increased caution due to travel restrictions, limited consular assistance, landmines, and wrongful detentions. The advisory notes the U.S. government's limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Eritrea and warns of the risk of wrongful detention. Recommended measures include exercising caution in remote areas, carrying copies of passport and visa, enrolling in STEP, following social media, reviewing the Country Security Report, preparing a contingency plan, and checking CDC travel health information.

Impact and considerations

This advisory is critical for business travelers planning to visit Eritrea, highlighting safety risks and limitations of U.S. government assistance; companies should assess travel risks and duty of care accordingly.

Zimbabwe: U.S. State Department Updates Level 2 Travel Advisory

The U.S. Department of State reissued its Level 2 travel advisory for Zimbabwe after a periodic review, with updates to crime and civil unrest information. The advisory urges increased caution due to crime and official harassment of U.S. citizens. Common crimes include pickpocketing, theft, and smashing of car windows; violent crime such as assault, carjacking, and home invasion also occurs. Criminals often target foreigners and residents suspected of carrying large sums of cash. Demonstrations may increase around political events, and large gatherings are often restricted by the government and can quickly escalate to violence. Foreigners, journalists, and NGOs may be subject to heightened…

Impact and considerations

The updated advisory reminds companies with operations or employees in Zimbabwe to reassess safety risks and monitor the impact of crime and civil unrest on travel management.

Zimbabwe: U.S. State Department Issues Level 2 Travel Advisory

The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Zimbabwe, urging increased caution due to crime and official harassment of U.S. citizens. Common crimes include pickpocketing, theft, and smashing of car windows; violent crime such as assault, carjacking, and home invasion also occurs. Criminals often target foreigners and residents suspected of carrying large sums of cash. Demonstrations may increase around political events such as elections, and large gatherings are often restricted by the government and can quickly escalate to violence. Foreigners, journalists, and NGOs may be subject to heightened scrutiny.

Impact and considerations

The advisory directly affects companies operating in or sending employees to Zimbabwe, requiring assessment of crime risks and official harassment on employee safety and travel management.

6 Questions to Ask When Incorporating Duty of Care into Your Travel Program

A SAP Concur blog post notes that employee wellness has taken center stage, and duty of care—an organization's legal obligation to protect employees from harm—has become a strategic tool. The article poses six questions to help incorporate duty of care into travel programs: how employees book, where they purchase, when they book, what ground transport they use, how safe the destination is, and how to improve. It emphasizes that increasing booking tool adoption, encouraging corporate card use, booking earlier, increasing rideshare use, reviewing destination risk, and establishing a cross-functional task force can enhance employee safety, satisfaction, and business continuity.

CDC Expert: Free Resources to Empower Your Travelers

A SAP Concur blog post summarizes insights from a CDC expert at the Concur Fusion session, emphasizing doing homework before travel, especially overseas. The CDC's Traveler's Health site provides latest testing requirements, COVID-19 risk levels and recommendations, disease directory, and the CDC Yellowbook. The expert advises checking the U.S. Department of State or consular affairs website for destination entry requirements. The CDC recommends vaccinated travelers get tested 3-5 days after returning to the U.S.; unvaccinated travelers should test 1-3 days before departure and after return. All international travelers returning to the U.S. must provide a negative test within 72 hours befor…

Impact and considerations

For business travel managers and travelers, understanding CDC testing recommendations and resources helps plan compliant travel and reduce health risks. The development of digital passports may affect future travel documentation requirements.