US Travel Alert: Embassy staffs' working family members can now return
The US Department of State yesterday updated its travel warning and is now allowing employed adult family members of US government personnel to remain in or return to Dhaka.
“The Department is updating this Travel Warning to reflect the change in the US Embassy in Dhaka's status to “partially accompanied”, effective January 5, 2017, allowing only employed adult family members of US government personnel to remain in or return to Dhaka,” it read.
The update warns US citizens of continuing threats from terrorist groups in Bangladesh and asks them to consider the risks of travel to and throughout the country.
After the July 1, 2016, café attack in Gulshan's diplomatic zone, several countries, including the US, Australia, Germany, Canada, the European Union authorised voluntary departure of family members of their government personnel posted to respective embassies and high commissions in Dhaka.
Canada had made it mandatory for the families of diplomats at its high commission in Dhaka to leave Bangladesh.
On July 10, 2016, the US state department authorised the voluntary departure of family members of US government personnel posted to the US embassy in Dhaka.
According to the updated travel warning, this travel warning replaces the warning dated July 10, 2016.
The state department said the US government considered the potential threat to US government personnel in Bangladesh to be serious enough to require them to live, work, and travel under strict security guidelines.
It asked the US citizens to take stringent security measures, remain vigilant, and be alert to local security developments.
Since the July 1 terror attack, the US government officials and their families are not permitted to: visit public establishments or places in Bangladesh; travel on foot, motorcycle, bicycle, rickshaw, or other uncovered means on public thoroughfares and sidewalks; and attend large gatherings.
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