Travel Update-Weekly Edition

Amtrak - A large mudslide just north of Windsor Locks, CT., has resulted in a suspension of Amtrak service between Springfield, MA., and Hartford, CT., on Monday, March 17. Alternate bus transportation is being provided. The mudslide resulted in the derailment of Amtrak Train #490, operating between New Haven and Springfield at 9:56 a.m. ET. Service on Amtrak's Vermonter, from St. Albans, Vt., to Washington, is also affected. Passengers will be bused between Springfield and Hartford. Separately, Amtrak reported that due to a freight train derailment on Monday north of Seattle on tracks owned and operated by BNSF, the railroad is temporarily closed in the area. As a result, all train service is currently suspended between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. For information on both suspensions, customers are urged to call 800-USA-RAIL or contact your designated Travel & Transport representative. 

Miscellaneous

State Dept Travel Warnings and Public announcements - For the full announcements or further detail on Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, please see  http://travel.state.gov/travel

Bolivia - The U.S. Embassy in La Paz issued the following Warden Message on March 14: "This Warden Message is being issued to notify American citizens that airlines are frequently not allowing U.S. citizen passengers who are traveling to Bolivia to board incoming flights without an international yellow fever vaccination certificate. "Due to the recent heavy rains in Bolivia, the Bolivian Department of Health has issued a decree that travelers to Bolivia must have the yellow fever vaccination. The U.S. Embassy in Bolivia is seeking further clarification on this policy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bolivian Immigration."

 

Chad -  On March 13 the U.S. Embassy in N'Djamena issued the following Warden Message: "The Government of Chad announced this morning that armed rebels have again crossed the border into eastern Chad. The Embassy reminds all U.S. citizens in Chad that the security situation may deteriorate quickly without much advance notice. U.S. citizens should be aware that the U.S. Embassy can not guarantee that the same options and level of evacuation assistance that existed in February will be available should the situation again deteriorate. The Embassy, therefore, recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to implement their personal evacuation or safe haven plans should the situation warrant. "Air France and Ethiopian Air have limited commercial operations, and flights are currently operating between N'Djamena and Paris. "The state of emergency, which the government of Chad declared on 14 February 2008 for the entire country, is still in effect. The state of emergency sets a curfew from midnight to 0600. Americans are advised to abide by the curfew, i.e., avoid all travel during those hours, and to exercise extreme caution at all other times, bearing in mind the political situation remains fluid and potentially dangerous. "American citizens outside the country are advised not to travel to Chad."

 

China (Hong Kong) - The U.S. Embassy in Hong Kong issued the following Warden Message on March 13: "As you may know, last night (March 12), the Secretary for Food and Health for the Hong Kong SAR government announced that all primary schools, kindergartens, and nursery schools would start their Easter Break from today for two weeks as a precautionary measure against the spread of influenza (also known as 'flu') in schools. The Hong Kong SAR government has emphasized to us that this is only a precautionary measure. At present, there is no indication that there is any significant change of the virus that makes it exceptionally more virulent than the usual influenza virus. "We recommend that you follow Hong Kong SAR government advice to take normal precautions against influenza, including maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene, and building up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking."

 

China (Tibet) - The U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Alert on March 15: "This Travel Alert is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to safety and security concerns in China’s Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). On March 14, violence erupted following peaceful demonstrations in the city of Lhasa. American citizens in Tibet and especially in Lhasa are advised to avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place. U.S. citizens in Lhasa should seek safe havens in hotels and other buildings and remain indoors to the extent possible. Americans are advised to defer travel to Tibet at this time. This Travel Alert expires on April 14, 2008.
"The Embassy has received reports from American citizens in the city who report gunfire, rioting, and other violence. Information from the media and other sources about the extent of the violence may be sporadic. American consular personnel have not yet been granted access to the TAR and therefore assistance to American citizens may be limited. U.S. citizens in Lhasa should avoid unnecessary movement within the city until the situation stabilizes

 

Nicaragua - On March 18 the U.S. Embassy in Managua issued the following Warden Message: "This message is being issued to advise American citizens to exercise extra caution over the Semana Santa (Holy Week) holiday next week. This is a local religious holiday where thousands of people leave Managua and go to nearby beaches and other tourist sites across Nicaragua. During Semana Santa you can expect police checkpoints on all major roads and intersections. Traffic is heavy especially on the Friday and Saturday before Semana Santa (March 14 and 15) and the following Sunday (March 23). "Americans are urged to obey all traffic laws and stay within posted speed limits. The U.S. Embassy reminds Americans that driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal and a prosecutable offense. Defensive driving is also highly recommended. Travel only during daylight hours. Roads outside Managua are always dangerous at night because of pedestrian traffic hazards and the presence of negligent or drunk drivers. "The U.S. Embassy recommends that adults supervise their children at all times while in or near water. Many of Nicaragua’s best-known resorts do not employ lifeguards to supervise swimmers. The Nicaraguan Pacific Coast is generally thought to be one of the most treacherous in the world and is not guarded by emergency rescue or medical services. "Finally, remember to use your common sense in guarding your property and person. This is the high season for petty thefts and other types of minor crimes. These crimes include, but are not limited to, assaults by intoxicated people at bars, verbal assaults of a sexual nature, and other events of this nature. Keep your eyes open and be aware of your surroundings at all times."

 

Qatar - The U.S. Embassy in Doha issued the following Warden Message on March 13: "The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Current information suggests that al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings. "Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, such as the new Christian Church complex in Doha, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather."

 

Yemen -  On March 19 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "This Travel Warning updates information on security incidents in Yemen. On 19 March, the Department of State authorized the departure from Yemen of non-emergency American employees of the U.S. Embassy and eligible family members. The Department recommends that American citizens defer non-essential travel to Yemen. "The Department of State authorized the voluntary departure for embassy employees and eligible family members after several explosions targeted the embassy compound on 18 March. The explosions injured several Yemeni citizens, including government security personnel and schoolchildren. Embassy employees have been advised to avoid hotels, restaurants and tourist areas until further notice and are not authorized to travel outside of Sanaa. "The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to consider deferring non-essential travel to Yemen at this time. The security threat level remains high due to terrorist activities in Yemen. U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in Yemen despite this warning should exercise caution and take prudent measures including maintaining a high level of vigilance, avoid crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile, vary times and routes for all travel, and ensure travel documents are current. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa advises American citizens in Yemen to exercise particular caution at locations frequented by foreigners countrywide and at restaurants and hotels frequented by expatriates. From time to time, the Embassy may restrict official Americans from restaurants, hotels, or shopping areas. The Department of State strongly encourages American citizens to consult the most recent Warden Messages (http://usembassy.state.gov/yemen/citizen_services.html) to get the most up-to-date information on security conditions. Americans who believe they are being followed or threatened while driving in urban centers should proceed as quickly as possible to the nearest police station or major intersection and request assistance from the officers in the blue-and-white police cars stationed there."

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