There are multiple things that are essential to check when planning a holiday and the safety of the destination you’re heading to is one of them. UK holidaymakers should always check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) travel advice before leaving the country to check on any warnings or advice that should be followed ahead of going on holiday. There are several things that might cause the FCDO to recommend that Brits stay away from a certain country, including political conflicts, natural disasters, and general safety concerns.
Currently, travel warnings, including advice against “all travel” and “all but essential travel,” are in place for entire countries or parts of countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. At the moment, 73 out of the 226 countries or territories with foreign travel advice pages have no-go zones due to security issues, health risks, and legal differences with the UK.
If you travel to a destination against FCDO advice, travel insurance will be invalidated, and there may be a limit to the consular support provided in case of an emergency. At present, the office has advised against all travel to 10 countries, with them varying across the continents.
Belarus is the closest country to the UK, which is featured on the list due to Brits being at “significant risk of arrest if you have at any time engaged in any activity now considered illegal by the Belarusian regime.”
The page also states the “low risk” that direct conflict associated with the war in Ukraine could spread to the country. Russia is also on the do not travel list for several reasons involving the “continuing invasion of Ukraine”.
The FCDO highlights the risks and threats, including security incidents, such as drone attacks, Russian air defence activity, lack of return flights to the UK and the limited ability of the UK government to provide support. As well as that, “there is also a high likelihood terrorists will try to carry out attacks, including in major cities.”
Other countries are on the list for conflict, security and violence.
The list of countries on the Foreign Office’s “do not travel” list:
FCDO advises against all travel
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Haiti
- Iran
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Russia
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
