{"threatLevel": "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution", "description": "<p><b><i>Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.</i></b></p>\n<p>Exercise increased caution in Sierra Leone due to <b>crime</b> and <b>civil unrest</b>.</p>\n<p><b>Country Summary: </b>Violent crimes, such as robbery and assault, occur frequently in Sierra Leone, especially in Freetown.&nbsp; Local police often lack the resources to deal effectively with serious criminal incidents.</p>\n<p>Demonstrations and protests occur in Sierra Leone and on occasion have resulted in violence.</p>\n<p>If traveling outside the Freetown peninsula, make all efforts to complete your travel during daylight hours due to increased safety hazards at night.&nbsp; The U.S. Embassy is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Freetown at night as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling outside the capital after dark.</p>\n<p>Read the <a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SierraLeone.html\">country information page</a> for additional information about travel to Sierra Leone.</p>\n<p>If you decide to travel to Sierra Leone:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.</li>\n<li>Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.</li>\n<li>Use caution when walking or driving at night.</li>\n<li>Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location.</li>\n<li>Enroll in the <a href=\"https://step.state.gov/step/\">Smart Traveler Enrollment Program</a> (<a href=\"http://step.state.gov/\">STEP</a>) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.</li>\n<li>Follow the Department of State on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/travelgov\">Facebook</a> and <a href=\"http://www.twitter.com/travelgov\">Twitter</a>.</li>\n<li>Review the <a href=\"https://www.osac.gov/Content/Browse/Report?subContentTypes=Country%20Security%20Report\">Country Security Report</a> for Sierra Leone.</li>\n<li>Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the <a href=\"https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/checklist.html\">Traveler&#8217;s Checklist</a>.</li>\n<li>Visit the CDC page for the latest <a href=\"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list\">Travel Health Information</a> related to your travel.</li>\n</ul>", "pubDate": "Mon, 31 Jul 2023", "country": "Sierra Leone"}