FCO updated travel advice for Egypt - 29 June 2012

[DJKeefy]

• There are calls for a large demonstration in Tahrir Square, Cairo on Friday 29 June. Crowds remain in the Square and there is the possibility that demonstrations could take place elsewhere in Cairo and other locations in Egypt. You should avoid all political demonstrations and large gatherings, especially those in Tahrir Square.


• There have been an increase in the number of reports of sexual assaults on women during demonstrations in and around Tahrir Square. Attacks have been experienced by both foreign and Egyptian women. We strongly advise women to avoid Tahrir Square and immediately surrounding areas during demonstrations.


• Demonstrations are frequent in other larger cities across Egypt, particularly Alexandria, Suez and Ismailia. Demonstrations are often on Fridays but can take place at other times. British nationals should avoid demonstrations and large crowds, and follow developments on the news.


There are still petrol and gas shortages across Egypt. Queues for petrol continue to cause traffic jams in many cities.

Due to the significant increase in the risk of criminal activity in the North Sinai area, we advise against all but essential travel to Sinai north of the Suez-Taba road. We advise against using the road itself, but this advice does not extend to the towns of Suez or Taba, nor does it apply to the road from Taba to Taba airport. See Safety and Security - Local Travel - Border Areas.

Tahrir Square in central Cairo still has protestors present but is currently open to traffic.

Two US nationals were kidnapped near Nuweiba in Sinai on 30 May. They were released unharmed the next day. There have been a number of incidents in February and March 2012 of kidnappings of foreign tourists and tour guides by armed tribesmen on the roads between Nuweiba, Dahab and St Catherine's in Sinai. All those kidnapped were released unharmed within hours. You should exercise caution when travelling outside resorts in the Sinai and take advice from local security authorities and your tour operator.

There have also been incidents of robberies and roadblocks on roads in Sinai and other areas of Egypt including near Abu Simbel, Luxor and Qena. Tourist buses have on occasion been targeted. Most recently on 15 June near Suez where bus passengers were held up and kidnapped and on 2/3 June near Taba, where bus passengers were robbed and Abu Simbel where tourist buses were held up by local people in protest at a land dispute. In both incidents tourists were unharmed.

When driving outside cities local security authorities may request that you travel in convoy. You should comply with these instructions. You should avoid travelling with unlicensed tour operators and should not travel around Sinai by road after dark.

The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza is open daily from 09:00 - 17:00 except Fridays and public holidays, but is subject to closure at short notice. The Rafah border crossing is in North Sinai and we advise against all but essential travel to this area.

There is a high threat from terrorism throughout Egypt, including in Sinai. Security is tight throughout the country, especially in resort areas. There is a high risk of indiscriminate attacks including public places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, including but not limited to resorts, hotels and restaurants.

Source and more travel advice for Egypt: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-liv ... rica/egypt