US State Dept. lowers travel advisory for Turkiye

WASHINGTON

The US State Department has lowered the travel advisory for Turkiye, which was on the agency’s "Do Not Travel" list because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The status was lowered Tuesday to Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution.”

The agency urged Americans not to travel to some areas that it said have increased risk, citing "Sirnak province, Hakkari province, and any area within six miles (10 kilometers) of the Syrian border due to terrorism."

The easing came two days after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dropped a "Do Not Travel" warning for dozens of countries, including Turkiye.

Those decisions announced Monday have resulted in no countries remaining in the Level 4 designation. Many that were upgraded are now at Level 3, meaning the CDC continues to recommend all travelers be up to date on their vaccinations before traveling.

Individuals who are not vaccinated against coronavirus should avoid travel, according to the CDC.