Travellers are being warned by the Foreign Office about 31 locations marked as ‘do not travel’ destinations. Anyone going to them will be invalidating any holiday insurance meaning if something bad happens they’ll be on their own, reports Leicestershire Live. Officials also warn that they could be putting their lives at risk. Consular assistance in these areas might prove difficult, and for some countries, the advice is to avoid all but essential travel. READ MORE: Travel warning as disruption expected in Spain, Italy and France READ MORE: Belfast airport travel, security and car parking advice for your summer holidays Here are the destinations on the do not travel list. The Foreign Office warns: “Get advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.” What is the official Foreign Office advice on travelling to Israel? Due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Foreign Office is advising against all travel to large parts of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, and all but essential travel to the rest of the country. The ‘do not travel’ regions include Gaza, the West Bank, and areas that border Syria and Lebanon. You can see the full updated list on the Foreign Office advice pages. It says: “There are continued exchanges of rocket, drone and small arms fire over Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and a potential increase in rocket attacks and other incidents of violence across Israel and the OPTs, including the West Bank. On 27 July, a strike on the town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights killed at least 12 civilians. “We recognise this a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and without warning, and could result in instructions to shelter in place. This could disrupt air and road links out of the country. We strongly encourage you to check you and your dependents have the required documentation to travel at short notice. If your reason to remain in Israel and the OPTs is not essential you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so.” Which other countries have been affected by the conflict? The Foreign Office is currently advising against all travel to Lebanon. In addition, those in the country should consider leaving while there are still commercial flights available. Which other countries does the Foreign Office advise against travel to? Below are the nations and territories that have a Foreign Office travel warning in place for all or most of the country. Even if a country isn’t on this list, there may still be restrictions in place, for example at contentious borders or in a particular region. So before you plan a trip, check the Foreign Office website for the latest travel warnings and restrictions. Europe • Belarus do not travel• Kosovo all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country• Russia do not travel• Ukraine do not travel Middle East • Iraq do not travel and all but essential travel warning• Iran do not travel• Israel do not travel and all but essential travel warning• Lebanon do not travel• Occupied Palestinian territories do not travel• Syria do not travel• Yemen do not travel Africa • Burkina Faso do not travel and all but essential travel warning• Cameroon do not travel and all but essential travel warning• Chad do not travel and all but essential travel warning• Central African Republic do not travel and all but essential travel warning• Ethiopia do not travel and all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country• Libya do not travel and all but essential travel warning• Mali do not travel and all but essential travel warning• Mauritania do not travel and all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country• Niger do not travel• Nigeria do not travel and all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country• Somalia do not travel and all but essential travel warning• South Sudan do not travel• Sudan do not travel• Western Sahara do not travel warning for significant parts of the country Americas • Haiti do not travel• Venezuela do not travel and all but essential travel warning Asia • Afghanistan do not travel• Myanmar do not travel and all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country• North Korea all but essential travel warning; borders have not reopened since Covid• Pakistan do not travel and all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Categories: Travel