New Canada Travel Advisory Says To 'Avoid All Travel' To Haiti & Canadians Should Leave ASAP
The Level 4 advisory was issued due to a "highly volatile" security situation.
A street in Cap-Haitien, Haiti.
The Government of Canada is warning travellers about a "volatile" security situation in Haiti in a newly issued travel advisory for the Caribbean country.
The country is currently under a state of emergency due to gang violence and a deteriorating security situation.
According to the government, Canadians travelling to Haiti are "at great risk." Here's what travellers in the country should know.
Haiti declares state of emergency
On Sunday, March 3, 2024, the government of Haiti declared a state of emergency in its West Department, including in Port-au-Prince, in response to gang violence and a deteriorating security situation.
The state of emergency was declared following violent clashes in the capital city that have damaged communications and led to two prison breaks, as Reuters reports.
The state of emergency will last at least 72 hours until the evening of Wednesday, March 6, 2024, according to the Government of Canada. A curfew is also in place in the West Department from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily during the state of emergency.
According to Canada's travel advisory, there are "frequent clashes" in the region between gangs and security forces, and kidnappings, robberies, and violent crime are increasing.
During the curfew, citizens and tourists are required to stay indoors. Haitian police have been ordered to "use all legal means at their disposal" to enforce the curfew and apprehend offenders, according to a press release from the Haitian government.
According to the Associated Press, heavily armed gangs tried to seize control of Haiti’s main international airport on Monday, just hours after the curfew was ordered.
The Toussaint Louverture International Airport was closed when the attack took place, with no planes operating and no passengers, the AP reports.
Canadians told to avoid all travel
The Government of Canada has issued a Level 4 "Avoid All Travel" advisory for Haiti due to the security situation.
The highest level of Canada's travel advisories, an Avoid All Travel advisory indicates that Canadians should not travel to this country, territory or region, and that their personal safety and security are at great risk.
"If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so," says the government.
The Government of Canada says that travellers who are in the country despite the advisory should be aware of their surroundings at all times, maintain a low profile when going outside and avoid showing signs of affluence.
During the curfew and while the state of emergency is in effect, Canadians should follow the instructions of local authorities, cooperate with police officers, carry valid ID at all times and be prepared for various checkpoints and monitor local news for updates on the security situation.
Land border with the Dominican Republic closed
The neighbouring Dominican Republic's land and sea borders Haiti remain closed to travellers.
Canadian citizens arriving from Haiti are only able to enter the Dominican Republic by air. The Government of Canada also warns that the Embassy of Canada in Santo Domingo cannot help Canadians enter the Dominican Republic from Haiti by land or sea.
In response to the security situation, the Dominican Republic said on Monday that its defence minister was touring the border to supervise progress on a border fence, according to Reuters.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.