The U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory for France on Wednesday for the first time since May.
The advisory remains at level 2, meaning travelers should exercise increased caution.
The State Department advisory states, “Violence and rioting have recently occurred in France and may continue. Avoid demonstrations and areas of unrest. Stay away from areas with large crowds or significant police activity.”
State Department Deputy Spokesman Luke Ortega spoke with WDSU about what factors the department considers when issuing advisories.
“We’re going to be looking at a myriad of factors. Sometimes it can be things such as civil unrest, it can be questions of criminality, there can be questions of terrorism. We try to take all of these things into account and trying to make sure we have an accurate look at what the situation is on the ground in any country,” said Ortega.
Ortega says the Department is constantly monitoring the situation and encouraging travelers to enroll in the STEP program.
“One of the most fundamental rules we follow at the State Department is what we refer to as ‘no double standard’ and what that means is when we have information that’s very clear, that’s going to guide our own thinking for the people who are there working at the embassies, for the folks at our consulates. If we’re basically telling folks ‘hey don’t go to this area’, we have a legal obligation to communicate that to the American people as well,” said Ortega.
READ MORE:U.S. State Department speaks with WDSU about France travel advisory
