Travel Update-Weekly Edition

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

Chad - On May 2 the U.S. Embassy in N'Djamena issued the following Warden Message: "The Department of State has authorized the return of U.S. Embassy non-emergency personnel and adult family members to Chad. Family members of Embassy personnel under the age of 21 are not authorized to reside in Chad. "The Department of State continues to urge American citizens in Chad to defer all travel to Chad due to the continuing unstable security situation throughout the country."

 

China - The U.S. Embassy in Beijing issued the following Warden Message on May 5: "American citizens are advised of an ongoing outbreak in China of an intestinal virus called enterovirus 71, or EV71. This virus causes a variant of hand, foot, and mouth disease. There are no specific precautions for this other than the general hygiene recommendations for living in China. "Over 3300 cases and at least 22 deaths have been reported in Fuyang City in Anhui Province. All of the deaths were children less than 6 years old and most were under 2 years of age. A few additional cases have been confirmed in Hangzhou City in Zhejiang Province. Hubei Province and Hong Kong have also reported a few cases. "The symptoms of EV 71 are similar but more severe than the common hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Typically, it starts with a generalized illness, poor appetite, and sore throat, followed by a fever, rashes on the hands, feet, and buttocks along with mouth ulcers. HFMD is often confused with foot-and-mouth disease of cattle, sheep, and swine. Although the names are similar, the two diseases are not related at all and are caused by different viruses. "Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons. A person is most contagious during the first week of the illness. HFMD is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals."

 

Jamaica - The U.S. Embassy in Kingston issued the following Warden Message on May 1: "This message is issued by the U.S. Embassy to alert American citizens in Jamaica concerning heightened violence and tensions in the Downtown Kingston area, particularly south of the Police Headquarters between East Queen Street and Harbor Street. There have been numerous murders in the last 48 hours which appear to be gang related. A curfew was enforced in the area last night. "Americans are strongly advised to refrain from entering this area until further notice and should exercise special caution and vigilance until the potential for violence subsides. Personnel are also reminded to avoid areas where there appear to be traffic blockages and/or where demonstrations are occurring. "Presently, gang violence has not affected South Camp Road, which is a major travel corridor to and from Norman Manley International Airport. Should this route become unsafe, the Embassy will notify American citizens and suggest a secondary route."

 

Georgia -  On May 2 the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi released a Warden Message, which reads in part as follows: "U.S. Embassy Tbilisi is asking American citizens to review their personal security posture given increased tensions in the separatist region of Abkhazia. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and review their personal emergency preparedness plans."

 

Myanmar - The Department of State issued the following Travel Warning on May 5: "This Travel Warning is being issued to inform American citizens of the destruction caused to Burma by Cyclone Nargis from May 2-3. The Department of State has authorized the departure from Burma of non-emergency American citizen employees of U.S. Embassy Rangoon and eligible family members. American citizens in cyclone-affected areas should strongly consider departing Burma on commercially available flights. American citizens outside of Burma should defer non-essential travel to Burma at this time. "On May 2, Cyclone Nargis hit Burma near the lower Irrawaddy Delta region with winds of 120 to 150 mph. The storm traveled inland in an east-northeast direction and hit Rangoon later the same day. Authorities have reported over 10,000 deaths as of May 5. Information on the situation outside Rangoon is limited at this time. Authorities have indicated that many villages in the southwest part of the delta region have been largely decimated. "The cyclone also caused widespread damage in Rangoon. Trees and power lines were torn down and rain caused flooding in many areas. Many telecommunications lines were cut. Buildings have been badly damaged throughout the city, and significant numbers of people have been left without adequate shelter. Electricity in Rangoon could take weeks to restore. Water supplies have also been disrupted, which could give rise to health problems. Many roads remain impassable due to flooding or fallen trees and debris. "The Burmese Government has declared disaster areas in five central and southern regions: Rangoon, Irrawaddy, Bago, Mon, and Kayin. Authorities announced that they have deployed military and police units for rescue, rehabilitation, and cleanup operations in Rangoon and the Burmese Government has requested international relief assistance. "On 5 May, the Rangoon International Airport reopened for international commercial flights. American citizens in cyclone-affected areas should strongly consider departing Burma on commercially available flights. American citizens outside of Burma should defer non-essential travel to Burma at this time. Fuel shortages have been reported, and some incidents of looting have been observed. U.S. Embassy personnel and their families have been advised to avoid traveling at night."

 

Nepal - On May 7, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning for Nepal: "This Travel Warning updates safety and security information for travelers to Nepal. The Department of State remains concerned about the security situation in Nepal and urges American citizens to obtain updated security information before they travel and to be prepared to change their plans on short notice. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Nepal issued on February 25, 2008. "Nepal continues to experience sporadic incidents of terrorism and politically-motivated violence in major urban areas. In the run-up to Constituent Assembly elections on April 10, bombings occurred in various locations around the country, including four bombings in the capital, Kathmandu, on April 4, in which no one was injured. In September 2007, near-simultaneous blasts at three locations in Kathmandu killed three persons and injured scores of commuters and bystanders, many of them seriously. Nepalese police believe that the Improvised Explosive Devices were planted intentionally where people congregate, and in a moving microbus carrying passengers. American citizens are reminded to remain on high alert, avoid public transportation (including travel by microbus), and be cautious of unattended baggage in public places, including airports and bus depots. "In November 2006, a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed by the Government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), a U.S. designated terrorist organization. Following that agreement, the former insurgents joined the interim parliament and, subsequently, the interim government. However, since the signing of the CPA, the Maoists have continued to engage in violence, extortion, and abductions. The Young Communist League, a Maoist subgroup, continues to extort and abuse people, including threatening Kathmandu-based personnel of a U.S. Non-Governmental Organization. "Various armed groups emerged in 2007, primarily in the Terai region along the southern border with India, and insurgent violence has affected trade and travel in that area. Ethnic tensions in the Terai region have spawned violent clashes with police, strikes, demonstrations, and closures of the border with India. The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends against non-essential travel to this region. "While widespread protests have abated, the potential for demonstrations and disruptions remains high. During demonstrations, protestors have used violence, including burning vehicles, throwing rocks and burning tires to block traffic. Given the nature, intensity and unpredictability of disturbances, American citizens are urged to exercise special caution during times when demonstrations are announced, avoid areas where demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road travel, and maintain a low profile. Curfews can be announced with little or no advance notice, and American citizens are urged to consult media sources and the Embassy’s website, http://nepal.usembassy.gov for current security information. " Crime in the Kathmandu Valley, including violent crime and harassment of women, has continued to increase since April 2006, and police are unwilling or unable to arrest criminals who claim Maoist affiliation. Travel via road in areas outside of the Kathmandu Valley is hazardous due to erratic drivers and frequent road accidents, and should be avoided. Police have reported a number of robberies by armed gangs; in some cases victims were attacked and injured. The U.S. Embassy reports an increase in crime in some popular tourist areas. Visitors to Nepal should practice good personal security when moving about, especially at night, and avoid walking alone after dark and carrying large sums of cash or wearing expensive jewelry. In several reported incidents tourists have had their belongings stolen from their rooms while they were asleep. Solo trekkers have been robbed by small groups of young men, even on some popular trails. Almost all U.S. official travel outside the Kathmandu Valley, including by air, requires specific clearance by the U.S. Embassy’s Regional Security Officer. As a result, emergency assistance to U.S. citizens may be limited. Active duty U.S. military and Department of Defense contractors must obtain a country clearance for official and unofficial travel to Nepal. Although the Government of Nepal no longer considers the Maoists to be terrorists, the U.S. Government’s designation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” organization under Executive Order 13224 and its inclusion on the "Terrorist Exclusion List" pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act remain in effect. These two designations make Maoists excludable from entry into the United States and bar U.S. citizens from transactions such as contribution of funds, goods, or services to, or for the benefit of, the Maoists."

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