# Updated Travel Advisory: What Ottawa Residents Need to Know About Eritrea in 2026
If you’re planning travel to Eritrea from Ottawa, a significant update to Canada’s travel advisory demands your immediate attention. As of March 18, 2026, the Government of Canada maintains a **Level 3 advisory — Avoid Non-Essential Travel** for Eritrea, with heightened warnings for border regions where all travel should be avoided.
## What This Advisory Means for You
The travel advisory update focuses on health information, but the security situation remains complex. Ottawa travellers should understand that “non-essential travel” includes tourism, visiting friends, and most business trips. Only critical diplomatic, humanitarian, or essential commercial travel falls outside this recommendation.
The most serious concern involves border areas. Within 25 kilometres of any Eritrean border—whether with Ethiopia, Sudan, or Djibouti—Canadians face an “avoid all travel” warning due to territorial conflicts, active military operations, and criminal activity.
## Security Risks You Need to Understand
Despite the 2022 ceasefire agreement between Ethiopia and the TPLF, Eritrea’s borders remain heavily militarized and unpredictable. The situation can deteriorate without warning. Unmarked landmines persist in border zones, creating invisible hazards for travellers who stray from main routes.
Local authorities may impose sudden movement restrictions, curfews, or security measures. Communication networks can be unreliable, making it difficult to reach Canadian consular assistance when needed.
## Health Considerations for Eritrea-Bound Travellers
The advisory’s recent update emphasizes travel health information—a critical aspect Ottawa travellers often underestimate. Eritrea presents multiple health challenges including limited medical infrastructure, tropical diseases, and scarce access to emergency care that meets Canadian standards.
Medical evacuation insurance becomes essential, not optional, for this destination. Beyond standard vaccinations, you may require immunizations for yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and other region-specific diseases. Malaria prophylaxis is typically recommended for most areas of Eritrea.
## Preparing Properly Before Departure
Thorough preparation can mean the difference between a manageable situation and a medical crisis. Start planning at least 6-8 weeks before departure, as some vaccines require multiple doses over several weeks.
Your pre-travel health consultation should address prescription medications for prevention (like anti-malarials), a comprehensive travel medical kit, and protocols for food and water safety. Discuss contingency plans for medical emergencies and ensure you understand how to access whatever limited healthcare exists in Eritrea.
Register with the Canadian government’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service, maintain comprehensive travel insurance with evacuation coverage, and keep digital and physical copies of essential documents separately.
Travelling to Eritrea? Before you go, speak with one of our ISTM-certified travel health physicians – virtually, 7 days a week. A pre-travel consultation covers vaccines, medications, and destination-specific health risks. Book your virtual consultation at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy.