How to Stay Safe During Travel Alerts

Travel alerts are issued for many reasons: unrest, natural disasters, health outbreaks, strikes or security threats. They range from mild cautions to urgent warnings to leave. Knowing how to respond calmly and practically makes a big difference to your safety and your peace of mind.

Understand the level of the alert

Governments use different scales, but most follow a similar logic: exercise normal caution, exercise increased caution, reconsider travel, and do not travel. Always read the full advice, not just the headline level. A country-wide warning may apply only to specific regions, and the reasons behind it tell you what precautions actually help.

Before you leave

• Check your government's official travel advice for your destination, and sign up for its traveller registration service if one exists.
• Read your travel insurance policy carefully — some policies don't cover destinations under the highest warning levels.
• Save copies of your passport, insurance and bookings offline and in a secure cloud folder.
• Write down emergency numbers, your embassy's contact details and your accommodation address.
• Share your itinerary with someone you trust at home.

Protect your devices and data

Travel is a prime time for digital risks: unfamiliar networks, lost phones and opportunistic scams.

• Update your phone and laptop before departure.
• Use a strong screen lock and enable remote-wipe features.
• Avoid logging into banking on public Wi-Fi without a VPN.
• Carry a small power bank — a dead phone is a real safety risk in an emergency.

While you're there

Stay informed

Follow local news and official channels, and check alerts at least once a day. Situations can change quickly, especially around protests or severe weather.

Keep a low profile

Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, even if they seem peaceful. Dress and behave in a way that doesn't draw attention, and keep valuables out of sight.

Plan your exits

Know at least two ways to reach the airport or a border, and keep some local cash in case card payments stop working.

If the situation escalates

• Follow instructions from local authorities and your embassy.
• Move to a safe location and limit unnecessary travel.
• Contact family to let them know you're safe; use messaging apps if calls fail.
• Contact your airline and insurer early — rebooking options fill up fast.
• Don't rely on rumours on social media; confirm news through official sources.

Recognise common scams

Crises attract scammers. Be wary of unofficial 'evacuation' services asking for upfront payment, fake airline support accounts on social media and messages asking you to confirm personal details. Contact companies only through their official websites or apps.

After you return

Review what worked and what didn't. Update your emergency document folder, cancel any temporary services, and change passwords for accounts you accessed on unfamiliar networks.

The key takeaway

A travel alert is information, not a reason to panic. Preparation — official advice, insurance, offline documents, secure devices and a clear exit plan — turns uncertainty into a manageable situation. Most travellers never face a real emergency, but those who prepare are the ones who handle it best when they do.