Monrovia- The United States Embassy here in the Liberian capital has issued a travel alert, cautioning its citizens about visiting Liberia at this time in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, crime, civil unrest and the upcoming bicentennial celebrations.
The Liberian government has over the months been rallying people in the United States and other parts of the world to come to the country for celebrations of the 200th year since the founding of this country, when free black slaves return to the Providence Island from the US.
This latest US Embassy travel advisory also comes amid rise in criminal activities and armed robberies in Monrovia and its environs, with constant reports of street robberies by criminal gangs, including wayward youths commonly called, โZogosโ.
Below is full text of the US Embassy travel alert:
Exercise increased caution in Liberia due toย COVID-19,ย crime, civil unrest,ย andย upcoming bicentennial celebrations.
Readย theย Department of Stateโsย COVID-19ย pageย beforeย youย plan any internationalย travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2ย Travel Health Noticeย for Liberia due to COVID-19, indicating a moderate level of COVID-19 in the country. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with anย FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDCโs specific recommendations forย vaccinatedย andย unvaccinatedย travelers.
Visit theย Embassyโs COVID-19 pageย for more information on COVID-19 related restrictions and conditions in Liberia.
Country summary:ย Violent crime, such as armed robbery, is common, particularly in urban areas and on public beaches. ย Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious crimes.ย Numerous Liberian bicentennial celebrations will take place in February 2022 with a concentration of events planned for February 14 โ 19.ย Incidents of theft and other crimes may increase due to the influx of international visitors expected to attend the events.
Demonstrations occur regularly and have on occasion resulted in violence or use of tear gas by authorities.
If traveling in Liberia, make all efforts to complete your travel during daylight hours due to increased safety hazards at night. ย U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling outside the capital or between counties after dark (with the exception of travel to and from Roberts International Airport).
Read theย country information page.
If you decide to travel to Liberia:
- See theย Embassyโs webpageย regarding COVID-19.
- Visit the CDCโs webpage onย Travel and COVID-19.
- Enroll in theย Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier for the Embassy to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State onย Facebookย andย Twitter.
- Review theย Crime and Safety Reportย for Liberia.
- citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review theย Travelerโs Checklist.
ย Assistance:
- S. Embassy Monrovia
502 Benson Street
+231 77-677-7000
ACSMonrovia@state.gov
https://lr.usembassy.gov
State Department โ Consular Affairs
888-407-4717 or 202-501-4444
Liberia Country Information - Enroll inย Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive Alerts
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Byย U.S. Mission Liberiaย | 26 January, 2022 | Categories:ย Alert