WASHINGTON — A Level 2 travel advisory has been issued for those planning on traveling to the United Kingdom. The State Department issued the warning Thursday after periodic review and is now advising Americans to use extra caution during any visits to the U.K.
The advisory cites ongoing concerns over potential terrorism as reason for the updated warning. The same warning was issued by the Department of State in September. A Level 2 advisory is the second lowest on the scale used by the State Department, with a Level 4 being the most serious.
“There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the United Kingdom. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more,” reads part of the advisory.
The notice states that terrorist activity can take place at tourist locations, transportation hubs, malls, restaurants, concerts, hotels and other venues. The advisory also warned of isolated violence by dissident groups in Northern Ireland that tend to target police and military forces.
When visiting the U.K., the State Department recommends that visitors:
- Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities.
- Check local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Review the Country Security Report for the United Kingdom.
According to the British Tourist Authority, a record 5.1 million Americans visited the U.K. in 2023. More people visit the U.K. from the U.S. than any other nation, according to a March report provided to the House of Commons.
For more information on the travel warning, visit the State Department website.
