Embassy Closures and Heightened Security May Delay Travellers
August 6, 2013 | Tags: DOS
On Sunday, August 4, the U.S. State Department (DOS) announced that 19 embassies in the Mideast and Africa will close through August 10 following the interception of communications about an upcoming attack by al Qaeda. U.S. diplomatic facilities will remain closed in Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, among other countries. Several of these facilities were closed over the weekend in observance of the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan, and "out of an abundance of caution" the DOS decided to extend the closure. At an August 5 press briefing the DOS announced additional embassy closings while indicating others may be reopening over the course of this week.
WSM wishes to advise clients travelling outside the US to countries not affected by the closures that possible delays may still occur, both during the visa application process and airport screening, due to heightened security measures.
