Travel Update-Weekly Edition

August 17th, 2006

• Small amounts of baby formula and breast milk if a baby or small child is traveling
• Liquid prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket
• Up to 5 oz. (148ml) of liquid or gel low blood sugar treatment 
• Up to 4 oz. of essential non-prescription liquid medications
• Gel-filled bras and similar prostethics
• Eye drops - You are allowed to carry up to 4 oz., of eye drops with you. Volumes greater than 4 oz., are only permitted in your checked baggage.
• Gel Shoe Inserts - Gel shoe inserts are not permitted, but shoes constructed with gel heels are allowed and must be removed and screened.
• You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids. Please remember these items must be solid and not liquid, gel or aerosol.

Duty free items are permitted if delivered directly onto the aircraft.  However, passengers making connections from international to domestic flights must transfer the items to their checked bag before boarding their flight.  At pre-clearance airports passengers must put duty free items into their checked luggage since the aircraft deplanes behind passenger security checkpoints.

Please note: Duty free policies differ by airport.  For additional information on duty free, please contact your airport directly.

 

It is important to note, that if you are departing from the following cities directly to the United States, you need to pack duty free items containing liquids or gels in your checked baggage. Aruba; Bermuda; Calgary, Canada; Edmonton, Canada; Freeport, The Bahamas; Montreal, Canada; Nassau, The Bahamas; Ottawa, Canada; Toronto, Canada; Vancouver, Canada; Winnipeg, Canada. 

 

When you land in the United States after leaving from these cities you do not process through customs and therefore will not have access your checked baggage. Due to current security procedures, you will not be allowed to board a connecting flight in the United States with liquids and gels.

Afghanistan - On August 14, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued a Warden Message, which reads in part as follows: "The U.S. Embassy has learned of an improvised explosive device (IED) threat on Jalalabad Road. This road is off-limits to Embassy staff until further notice. The Consular Section encourages all Americans to avoid this area and to limit travel in and around the city."

Kenya - On August 10, the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning for Kenya."This Travel Warning is being issued to remind American citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to Kenya at this time due to ongoing safety and security concerns.  This supersedes the Travel Warning of December 30, 2005. The Department recommends that private American citizens in Kenya evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing terrorist threats and the limited ability of the Kenyan authorities to detect and deter such acts.  Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports.  U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places including tourist sites and locations where Westerners are known to congregate, as well as commercial operations associated with U.S. or other Western interests. American citizens in Kenya should remain vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, Western-oriented shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship.  Americans should also remain vigilant in residential areas, schools, and at outdoor recreational events, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds. In addition to the terrorist threat, there are continuing incidents of criminal activity, including carjacking, robbery, and other violent crime, especially after dark.

Moldova - On August 14, the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau issued the following Warden Message: "Due to the recent trolley bus explosion in Tiraspol, the U.S. Embassy urges all U.S. Citizens to exercise additional caution for their travel to or through Transnistria. "Americans are reminded that taking photographs in and around the vicinity of the security zone, peacekeeping posts, bridges, military installations and 'official government buildings' is often considered to be prohibited by local and peacekeeping authorities, and in many of these locations, clear signs prohibiting photography are posted. Throughout Transnistria, drivers should observe caution and avoid confrontations with local authorities. Vehicles should adhere to STOP signs posted at/around all peacekeeping posts. Finally, all travel within Transnistria should be concluded before dark."

Nigeria - On August 14, the U.S. Consulate in Lagos issued the following Warden Message regarding kidnapping in Nigeria: "The U.S. Consulate has received credible reports that several expatriates were seized from an evening venue in Port Harcourt on Sunday,  August 13. This venue is believed to be popular among expatriates living in Port Harcourt. This act represents a significant escalation in the recent kidnappings that have been taking place in the Port Harcourt and Niger Delta region. If anyone has any information regarding this incident or would like to report a missing person, please contact the U.S. Consulate in Lagos or U.S. Embassy in Abuja immediately. The U.S. Mission to Nigeria advises all American citizens to practice extreme caution in their daily activities and to avoid travel to the region. Americans in the area should limit their travel, particularly at night, and should avoid public venues whenever possible. Americans should review their security procedures, remain vigilant to their surroundings, and report specific incidences of targeted violence to the U.S. Consulate in Lagos."

Saudi Arabia - On August 15, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh issued a Warden Message, which reads in part as follows: "The U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia continues to remind Americans living in or traveling to Saudi Arabia of the continuing threat of terrorist actions and anti-American violence against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Americans are urged to remain alert at all times to their surroundings, vary their times and routes, and actively cultivate good personal security practices."

Sri Lanka -  On August 15, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "This Travel Warning provides security information and alerts American citizens traveling to or living in the northern and eastern areas of Sri Lanka of the heightened potential for terrorist actions, including attacks against civilians. This situation is likely to continue for some time. Over the last several months, acts of terrorism including bombings and political assassinations have occurred in Sri Lanka. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) and Sri Lankan military forces have clashed on several occasions, and this fighting has escalated in recent weeks. While most of the country remains largely unaffected, the Department warns Americans against traveling to areas in the North and East of the country given the dangers caused by the ongoing fighting between LTTE, other armed groups, and Sri Lankan military forces. "The Department of State alerts American citizens to the dangers posed by recent acts of terrorism throughout Sri Lanka, and warns against travel to the most seriously affected regions. Although there is no specific indication that American citizens or institutions are targets, there is a general risk of American citizens being victims of violence simply by being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Politically motivated assassinations have taken place throughout Sri Lanka, including several in the Colombo area. In many cases, these assassinations involve the use of fragmentation bombs. American citizens in Sri Lanka should be aware of their personal surroundings and follow good security practices. Americans should avoid large crowds or public gatherings and should particularly stay away from political rallies and military bases in Sri Lanka. "The areas in the North and East are of special concern. These areas are defined as the regions north of a line following the highway from Puttalam through Anuradhapura to Trincomalee, and east down to Batticaloa. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens that travel to these areas and into any LTTE-controlled territory may pose severe hazards. U.S. government personnel are generally prohibited from traveling in these areas, and American citizens residing in these areas should depart immediately as their safety cannot be effectively guaranteed. We have no indication at this time of a threat to tourist areas in the Cultural Triangle, including territory around Anaradhapura and Polonnoruwa. "In areas outside of the North and East, Sri Lankan nationals have been the targets of assassinations and bombings. Americans should comply with all instructions from security forces and police when traveling in Sri Lanka. "American citizens, including those of Sri Lankan origin, living in Sri Lanka or traveling there for even a few days are strongly urged to register with the Embassy."

Previous Updates

August 17, 2006
August 14, 2006
August 11, 2006
August 11, 2006
August 10, 2006
August 10, 2006
August 3, 2006
July 27, 2006
July 20, 2006
July 13, 2006
July 5, 2006
June 29, 2006
June 22, 2006
June 15, 2006
June 8, 2006
June 1, 2006
May 25, 2006
May 18, 2006
May 11, 2006
May 4, 2006
April 27, 2006
April 20, 2006
April 13, 2006
April 12, 2006
April 7, 2006
April 4, 2006
March 30, 2006
March 23, 2006
March 16, 2006
March 9, 2006
March 2, 2006
February 23, 2006
February 16, 2006
February 9, 2006
February 6, 2006
January 26, 2006
January 19, 2006
January 12, 2006
January 5, 2006
January 3, 2006