Latest travel advice

www.timesonline.co.uk March 20, 2003

The Foreign Office has urgently updated its travel advice following the start of the war with Iraq.

In a statement last night it said: "The risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks in public places, including tourist sites, will be especially high. You should be vigilant, take sensible precautions, be aware of local sensibilities, monitor the media, and check travel advice for the country you live in or plan to visit.”

Britons living in the Middle East are advised that in the event of a chemical or biological attack they should follow local authorities and emergency services' advice.

Below is a guide to destinations that can be high-risk.

For more information the Know Before You Go website provides a searchable list of countries with the Foreign Office's latest travel advice.

For those who require more detailed information, such as emergency telephone numbers, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust's World Wise website is a comprehensive source. The Trust advises on matters of personal safety.

Jordan

All British nationals in Jordan should consider leaving while air routes remain open. There is a risk of the use of chemical and biological weapons by Iraq, as well as an increasing possibility of terrorist attacks.

If Jordanian airspace is closed or flights are disrupted, British nationals are advised to adopt a low profile, to minimise travel and take sensible security precautions. 

A US diplomat was killed in Jordan in October 2002. In particular British nationals should not travel to the southern Jordanian city of Ma'an.

The British Embassy has reduced staff to a core and will be running very restricted services. The dependents of all embassy staff have been sent home.

Bahrain

All British nationals in Bahrain should consider leaving. There is a risk of the use of chemical and biological weapons by Iraq, as well as an increasing possibility of terrorist attacks in the event of war.

The British Embassy has reduced staff to a core and will be running very restricted services. The dependents of all embassy staff have been sent home.

Kuwait

British citizens in Kuwait should leave urgently while there are still commercial flights.The threat to Britons and organisations from terrorism is already considered high and is likely to rise further in the event of military action. Attacks in the region could involve the use of chemical and biological materials

Residents who do remain should check travel advice daily. Travellers are advised that the dependents of staff at the British Embassy have left the country. Staff levels are being reduced to a core and the ability to conduct consular services will be restricted.

Israel

The Government advises against travel to Israel, including holidays. As well as the continual threat of domestic terrorism there is a risk to Israel from Iraq, which may involve biological and chemical weapons.

Those who are already in the country should maintain a high level of vigilance and consider whether their presence is essential. The advice includes East Jerusalem.

Travel to the West Bank and Gaza and the Israel/Gaza border area is discouraged; and the area along Israel's border with Lebanon is also considered unsafe.

There are frequent fatal shooting attacks and car and suicide bombs. Targets include crowded public areas and public transport. Visitors should keep in touch with developments and monitor travel advice.

British nationals should avoid likely terrorist targets which include crowded public areas, shopping malls, cafes, bars, nightclubs, hotels, restaurants and public transport.

Syria

British citizens should avoid travelling to Syria. (except those in transit between flights, providing they do not break their journey)

The terrorist threat to British nationals in the country is considered high. Those remaining in Syria should "maintain a high level of vigilance" and "consider whether your presence and that of your dependants is essential."  Developments on Iraq and any further increase in regional tension could affect travel advice.

Iraq

All British citizens leave the country at once. Those considering remaining are advised to be aware that British passport holders were used as hostages during the 1990 to 1991 crisis. There is no British diplomatic presence in Iraq.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia

All non-essential travel to these countries is discouraged because of the risk of terrorist action. British residents are advised to consider whether their presence is essential, to take care over their security and be vigilant at all times

There have been a series of bombings in Saudi Arabia since 2000, seven of which have killed and injured Westerners. An American diplomat was killed in a terrorist attack in Jordan in October 2002.

The Government's advice is expected to change in the event of military action against Iraq and British nationals are advised to check the Know Before You Go website daily.  

Colombia

The British Embassy in Colombia was closed in December due to a specific threat to its buildings in Bogota. It has since re-opened.

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Choco, Putumayo, Meta and Caqueta provinces and to rural areas of Antiquia, Cauca, Narino and Norte de Santander provinces.

In 1999 three US citizens were kidnapped and killed. Six British citizens have been kidnapped in the last four years, including one who was later killed.

Colombia has been in the throes of civil war for nearly four decades, and thousands of people have been killed in action involving right-wing paramilitaries, Marxist rebels and the Government. Attacks may not be directed specifically at British tourists, but they are still at risk.

Venezuela

Violent protests against President Hugo Chavez led the British Government to advise against all travel to Venezuela in December. However, it has now been taken off the "danger list" as the unrest of the general strike - during which thousands of demonstrators took to the streets - appears to have waned.

Kenya

East Africa's most popular tourist destination attracts 80,000 British tourists each year. The Foreign Office reviewed its advice on Kenya as a result of the bomb in Mombasa in 2002, but it does not discourage British tourists from visiting:

"We believe that Kenya is one of a number of countries in East Africa where there may be an increased terrorist threat," it says.

"UK nationals in Kenya should be vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, restaurants and shopping malls. In particular there is a potential threat against Western interests in Nairobi."

Pakistan

Holiday travel to Pakistan should be cancelled and any British nationals in Pakistan - except for those of Pakistani origin - are advised to leave unless they have a compelling reason to stay.

Visitors should monitor events and be prepared to leave quickly. British nationals should register with the consuls in Islamabad and Karachi and make constant safety checks, including looking under vehicles for explosives. Karachi in particular has a history of civil disorder. The city is volatile and bombs are not uncommon.

On Christmas Day three girls were killed in a grenade attack by terrorist on a Protestant church in Daska, near Lahore. 

India

The Government no longer advises against travel to India and its website says the majority of visits to the country are trouble-free. However, travellers are told to avoid travel to Jammu and Kashmir. Also discouraged are visits to Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab. However, travel to Amritsar, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodphur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer is acceptable.

There is an increased risk of terrorism to visibly British institutions and organisations. Visitors already in India should contact the British High Commission in New Delhi if they have specific concerns about their safety.

Nepal

Visitors to Nepal should monitor the situation extremely carefully as there is an increased risk of terrorism due to the ongoing Maoist insurgency.

Terrorism in Nepal is not thought to be directed specifically at British nationals, but "there is a risk of attacks in places where Westerners tend to gather, such as hotels, restaurants and tourist sites."

The Foreign Office says: "We do not warn against travel to Nepal, but you should be aware that there are risks, and be on your guard as far as possible."

Thailand

There is no recent history of terrorism in Thailand and the Government is not aware of any current, specific threat to British nationals. However, there is a continuing threat from terrorism in South East Asia generally, following the attacks in Bali.

Travellers are warned to monitor the international situation and not to become involved with drugs as the possession of even small amounts can result in prison or the death penalty.

Morocco

Most visits to Morocco are trouble-free, although travel to the Western Sahara, a disputed territory, is discouraged because of thousands of unexploded mines in the area.

Malaysia

Previously considered a safe tourist destination, Malaysia was named by the Australian Government as one of six states where its citizens are at risk after the bomb in Bali. However, the British Government continues to say that most visits to Malaysia are trouble free.

Turkey

Travel to Turkey is usually trouble-free, but tourists should take sensible precautions given heightened tension in the Middle East. There have been no recent terrorist incidents in coastal resort areas and the situation in eastern Turkey has improved considerably.

The Government says the Turkish authorities are tackling the threat of domestic and international terrorism effectively and with vigour, particularly in tourist areas. However it recommends against travel to the south-east of the country 

Bomb attacks, aimed at the security authorities, sometimes occur in Istanbul. On September 10 2001, a bomb attack in Istanbul's Taksim area killed two Turkish policemen and an Australian tourist.

Philippines

Visitors to the Philippines are advised that crime driven by poverty - including kidnapping - is a serious problem. There is also an increased risk of terrorist attack.

Tourists should not travel to central southern and western Mindanao or to Basilan or the Sulu archipelago. You should take particular care through Palawan and at all coastal resorts.

Regional tension could increase in a conflict with Iraq, so British nationals are advised to check advice daily.

Egypt

More than 340,000 British nationals visited Egypt in 2001, mainly as tourists. The country is generally considered a safe destination and visitors are protected by effective police and security forces.

However, there is a threat of terrorism and visitors are advised to follow the international situation and check travel advice regularly.

United Arab Emirates (including Dubai)

There is an increase in the threat to British nationals, including from Iraq. This threat is now considered high. It is likely to rise further in the event of a war. Terrorist attacks could involve the use of chemical or biological materials.

British nationals should maintain a high level of vigilance and exercise good security practices. You should check travel advice daily and follow developments closely.

Namibia

Travel to the immediate border areas with Angola is discouraged because of the dangers of landmines and munitions left over from the Angolan civil war. However, most visits to the rest of Namibia are trouble-free.

Information from Worldwise (Suzy Lamplugh Trust) and the Foreign Office

Know Before You Go Helpline 44 (020)  7008 0232/0233.

The Government recommends that in no circumstances should British travellers visit Burundi, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Liberia or Yemen. They should also avoid western Azerbaijan, the Chechen Republic and areas of Russia, Somaliland and Ethiopia.