Pre-travel checklist: What to do before your trip
Make sure to check off this pre-travel list before your next big trip.
Problem Solved, USA TODAY
Are you thinking about traveling to China to visit or study abroad? The U.S. government suggests reconsidering your trip for now.
According to the U.S. Department of State, traveling to China is under a level 3 travel advisory, warning Americans to reconsider. The State Department has four warning levels. The fourth is “Do not travel.”
The U.S. is asking Americans to reconsider traveling to China due to various reasons, including concerns about health and safety, such as the prevalence of contagious diseases like COVID-19, as well as political tensions or security risks in certain regions.
As of April 12, there are some specific areas that the U.S. is asking people to reconsider travel to. Those areas include:
Additionally, the U.S. government may issue travel advisories based on factors like civil unrest, natural disasters, or other hazards that could affect travelers’ well-being.
Mark Swidan — a man from Houston, Texas — has been detained in China for over 10 years on drug charges. According to The Texas Tribune, Swidan was detained in China in 2012 while on a trip looking for materials for his home and business in Houston. Chinese authorities arrested him after his driver and translator were found in possession of drugs. The driver blamed Swidan, who is accused of trafficking and manufacturing methamphetamine.
A review of Swidan’s case said there were no drugs on him or in his hotel. Last year, the Republic of China’s Jiangmen Intermediate Court denied Swidan’s appeal and upheld his death penalty with a two-year suspended death sentence.
Other Americans considered wrongfully detained include Chinese American businessman Kai Li from Long Island, N.Y., and California pastor David Lin.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the State Department’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and to prepare contingency plans for emergencies.
Safety tips if you’re traveling outside the U.S.:
