FCO Press Release: Egypt travel advice update

LONDON, United-Kingdom, February 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Office advise against all but essential travel to South Sinai in Egypt except for within the Sharm el Sheikh resort areas.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is now advising against all but essential travel to South Sinai except for the area within the Sharm el Sheikh resort areas. Advice for other areas of the country remains the same including advice against visiting the Governorate of North Sinai.

This advice means that we are now advising against all but essential travel to the Governorates of Beni Suef, Minya, Asyut and Sohag and the Governorate of South Sinai, with the exception of the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier, which includes the airport and the areas of Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq.

We also continue to advice against all travel to the Govenorate of North Sinai.

We believe there is a high threat from terrorism and terrorists continue to plan attacks. Attacks could be indiscriminate and occur without prior warning. Terrorists could target protestors and the Egyptian authorities. Attacks targeting foreigners cannot be ruled out. Attacks have mainly been aimed at the security forces, their facilities and other government buildings. You should take great care near these buildings.

On 16 February 2014, a tourist bus was attacked in Taba in South Sinai, close to the Israeli border at Eilat. It has been reported that 4 people were killed.

The safety of British Nationals in Egypt is a key concern for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and we keep our travel advice under continuous review based on robust and up-to-date intelligence from our experts in country.

Enhanced security measures are in place to protect the Sharm el Sheikh resort areas. Egyptian military are situated in Sharm el Sheikh international airport, at check points around the perimeter of Sharm el Sheikh and throughout the South Sinai Governorate. Routine security checks are being performed on entry into the airport and the police are carrying out vehicle checks in Sharm el Sheikh. There were no violent protests in the South Sinai resorts during recent disturbances in Egypt.

FCO travel advice now reads:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:

• the Governorate of North Sinai due to the significant increase in criminal activity and recent terrorist attacks on police and security forces that have resulted in deaths

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:

• the Governorates of Beni Suef, Minya, Asyut and Sohag

• the Governorate of South Sinai, with the exception of the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier, which includes the airport and the areas of Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq.

Enhanced security measures are in place to protect the Sharm el Sheikh resort areas. Egyptian military are situated in Sharm el Sheikh international airport, at check points around the perimeter of Sharm el Sheikh and throughout the South Sinai Governorate. Routine security checks are being performed on entry into the airport and the police are carrying out vehicle checks in Sharm el-Sheikh. There were no violent protests in the South Sinai resorts during recent disturbances in Egypt.