As you may know, the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a Worldwide Travel Alert on Aug. 2, 2013, warning U.S. citizens traveling abroad of an increased risk of terror attacks against U.S. interests. This alert is effective through Aug. 31, 2013.

Additionally, numerous U.S. Embassies in the Middle East, and Northern Africa will stay closed for the next 6 days. These include the Embassies and Consulates in United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Qatar, Sudan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen and Libya.  A comprehensive list of all Embassy closures can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_6037.html.

We ask all ANR personnel traveling abroad for any reason to be extra cautious over the coming weeks, and if you are traveling in the Middle East or Northern Africa, to be aware that some U.S. Embassies will be unable to be contacted or provide aid if needed over the next several days.

If you are traveling on University business and have not already done so, we strongly urge you to register your trip with UC Trips from the link on our Business Travel webpage at http://ucanr.edu/travel. You can also find information about business travel insurance, a pre-trip planning tool, and other resources at this site. By registering your trip, you will ensure that you are covered by the University’s travel insurance program, you can sign up to receive alerts throughout your trip, and you can provide your itinerary and emergency contact information should an emergency arise.

If you have any questions about this alert or business travel insurance, you may contact ANR Risk & Safety Services. Contact Brian Oatman at (530) 752-6024 or baoatman@ucanr.edu or Linda Harris at (530) 752-7481 or olharris@ucanr.edu.

You can read the full text of the U.S. State Department travel alert at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_6042.html