It is all over the news. You cannot avoid the coverage of the mass shooting in Las Vegas. Unfortunately events like this seem like they are becoming the norm, so where is it safe to travel?
With the winter travel season approaching people are either beginning to plan their vacation or already have it booked. One venue for information that many people do not use or know about is that the government of Canada has travel advisories for countries of the world. This is updated frequently and you can find a great deal of useful information about the country you are interested in.
For example you can find information relating to Risk Levels, Safety & Security, Entry/Exit Requirements, Health, Laws and Culture, Natural Disaster and Where To Get Assistance.
To view the full list go to https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories
If you are traveling make sure you have Travel Insurance so that you are protected against the unexpected.
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Safety and security
Las Vegas mass shooting
Following the October 2, 2017 mass shooting in the Mandalay Bay Casino area in Las Vegas, the local county government opened a family assistance center. Anyone concerned about individuals who could have been affected should call +1 866 535-5654 if calling from outside Nevada or 2-1-1 if calling from within the state of Nevada.
If you are in Las Vegas, avoid the affected area and follow the instructions of local authorities. If you require emergency consular assistance, call the Consulate of Canada in Los Angeles at 1-844-880-6519 or the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at 1-888-949-9993. You can also send an email to [email protected].
Natural disasters & climate
Hurricane season
The hurricane season extends from June to the end of November, in the southeastern states. Consult the website of the National Hurricane Center for additional information on weather conditions, stay informed of regional weather forecasts, and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities.
Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma swept through the state of Florida and portions of the state of Georgia on September 10 and 11, 2017. While transportation, power and telecommunications networks have been fully restored in most of the affected areas, recovery efforts are ongoing in some parts of the Florida Keys. Contact your travel agent or tour operator to confirm that businesses are operating where you plan to travel.
Hurricane Harvey
On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the Texas coast near Corpus Christi as a major hurricane, swept southeastern Texas as a tropical storm and caused life-threatening floods in the region. Transportation, power and communications networks have been restored. However, you should avoid travel to areas that are still under evacuation orders, particularly the North Beaumont area. Monitor local news and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Volcanoes, tornadoes and earthquakes
Some volcanoes in the U.S. are active and seismic activity also occurs. For up-to-date information on volcanic activity, consult the Alaska Volcano Observatory’s website. Additional information on volcanic and seismic activity in the U.S., as well as on possible tsunami threats to Pacific states, is available from the U.S. Geological Survey. Consult the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service for information on tornadoes. You should know the address and telephone number of the nearest embassy or consulate general of Canada in the event of an emergency.
AMC Insurance is your one stop for all your insurance needs. To find out more, visit our website or call us today.
