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April 15, 2009
The U.S. Embassy in Cairo would like to provide the following information to ensure that the American community in Egypt is aware of recent incidents and prepared for what many are taking as a long weekend, to include travel to several of the Sinai resort areas.
Recent press reporting indicates that the security situation in the northern Sinai area, which is generally defined as the area north of the Cairo-Nekhl-Taba road, remains difficult. Due to the continuing potential for violence in the northern Sinai region, all Americans are encouraged to follow news reporting in case of late-breaking developments that could impact travel plans. In addition, the Government of Egypt continues its restriction on travel north of the Cairo-Nekhl-Taba road to the Mediterranean coast from Al Arish to the Rafah border with the Gaza Strip.
Prior to travel in the Sinai area, all Americans should take these simple precautionary measures:-
Inform your supervisor or colleague of your travel plans, to include contact information – where you are going and when you are expected to arrive and return;
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Travel in groups or as a multi-vehicle convoy;
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Travel only during daylight hours;
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Travel with a cell phone;
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Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition, with emergency tools and basic repair supplies;
Have a small stock of emergency snacks, water, and blankets.
The State Department’s highest priority is the protection of American citizens living, working, and visiting overseas. It is critical that you and everyone in your charge be familiar with the security situation in which you live and work. Your prudent and active participation in your security will greatly enhance our collective ability to avoid or better handle any crisis.
The Embassy is located at 5 Tawfik Diab (formerly Latin America) Street, Garden City, Cairo, phone: 20-2-797-3300. Normal business hours for American citizen services are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. In the event of an emergency or if you require urgent assistance outside of those hours, please call 797-3300. The Embassy strongly encourages all Americans visiting or residing in Egypt to register with the Embassy. Registration should be made on-line at: https://travelregistration.state.gov. General information about Egypt and the U.S. Embassy is available at the Embassy’s website http://egypt.usembassy.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
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