Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa, Honduras

HEALTH ALERT – U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa, Honduras (April 2, 2020)

LOCATION: Honduras

EVENT: Now is the Time to Plan your Return to the United States

The Secretary of State this week urged all Americans overseas to return to the United States “immediately” if they wish to do so, warning that the window for air transport from overseas may be closing. “We cannot guarantee the U.S. Government’s ability to arrange chartered flights indefinitely where commercial options no longer exist,” Secretary Pompeo said.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Honduras, the capacity of local medical services to response will be severely limited. Some medical services may be partially or totally inaccessible as the focus of the medical establishment turns exclusively to responding to COVID-19 cases.

The U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa has already helped 5,800 U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents return to the United States since March 15. We will continue to seek rescue flight options, but the task may become increasingly challenging with each passing day.

The two United Airlines flights out of Honduras yesterday to Houston were the last scheduled commercial flights out of Honduras in the foreseeable future. There are currently no scheduled commercial rescue flights from Honduras.

Now is the time to decide if you can ride this out, recognizing the medical and security situation might deteriorate and access to food and other necessities may become more difficult to obtain.

If you are interested in either the commercial option or a U.S. Government-arranged rescue flight, should one become available, please email USAHonduras@state.gov

ACTIONS TO TAKE:

U.S. citizens who are present in Honduras should enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Enrollment in STEP enables the American Citizen Services unit in Tegucigalpa to reach out directly to U.S. citizens in need of assistance. STEP also allows U.S. citizens to receive Alerts to convey information about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, natural disasters, etc.
Review the State Department’s Global Level 4 Health Travel Advisory at travel.state.gov.
Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Monitor local news for updates.