US Department of State orders departure of US government employees’ family members from Belarus

February 1, BPN. On January 31, the US Department of State ordered the departure of family members of US government employees from Belarus, according to the official Travel Advisory page on Belarus.

The Department of State does not recommend US citizens to visit Belarus “due to the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of detention, and unusual and concerning Russian military buildup along Belarus’ border with Ukraine.”

“Due to an increase in unusual and concerning Russian military activity near the border with Ukraine, US citizens located in or considering travel to Belarus should be aware that the situation is unpredictable and there is heightened tension in the region,” the page notes. “On January 23, 2022, the Department of State also authorized the voluntary departure of US direct hire employees and ordered the departure of eligible family members from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action. […] Given the heightened volatility of the situation, US citizens are strongly advised against traveling to Belarus.”

The page stresses that the US government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to US citizens in Belarus is “already severely limited due to Belarusian government limitations on US Embassy staffing.”

“The US Embassy reminds US citizens to exercise increased awareness and vigilance regarding political and military tensions in the region. US citizens are advised to avoid public demonstrations and to regularly reevaluate possible departure plans in the event of an emergency,” the statement notes.