The US Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Hong Kong on August 7th, 2019, calling on travelers to “Exercise Increased Caution.” The advisory warns of civil unrest in various areas of the city that started in June 2019. The large-scale protests stemmed from the now-shelved Extradition Bill, which would have allowed people in Hong Kong to be extradited to Mainland China. While the protests have largely been peaceful, some have escalated into violent clashes. The protests have also expanded beyond permitted rally points and police are increasingly relying on less-lethal weapons such as tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. The advisory recommends travelers exercise caution in large crowds and to avoid areas where demonstrations take place.
