All About Travel Tours, Inc. - Travel Alerts and Warnings

The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for unrest in Bahrain. This Travel Alert supersedes the Travel Alert dated January 23, 2012, and expires on June 30, 2012. It updates information about spontaneous and at times violent demonstrations. 

All travelers to Bahrain face increased scrutiny from Bahraini authorities, and the Government of Bahrain has refused to allow some U.S. citizens permission to enter Bahrain. The airport remains open and operational. 

Spontaneous and at times violent anti-government demonstrations occur in some neighborhoods, particularly at night and on weekends. These demonstrations have included blockades of major highways with burning debris and establishment of unofficial checkpoints. Participants have thrown rocks and Molotov cocktails and used various other homemade weapons to include isolated use of crude improvised explosive devices. The Ministry of Interior maintains official checkpoints in some areas and routinely uses tear gas and stun grenades along with birdshot and other crowd control measures against demonstrators. Violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators can make travel in and around Bahrain dangerous without advance warning. 

There have been no direct attacks on U.S. citizens; however, isolated instances of Westerners and U.S. citizens getting caught in the middle of clashes have occurred and there have been examples of anti-U.S. sentiment seen on the streets, with U.S. flags occasionally being burned during demonstrations.  U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security by knowing the locations of police and fire stations, hospitals, and the U.S. Embassy. The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly, and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse. If you are in immediate danger, call the police at 999.  

The U.S. Embassy restricts its employees from traveling to specific areas and advises all U.S. citizens to do the same. We continue to urge U.S. citizens to stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Please check our Demonstration Notices for information on demonstrations, security guidance, and a map outlining areas that are off-limits to Embassy U.S. citizen employees and their family members. 

The U.S. Embassy in Manama can be reached at (973) 1724-2700; the after-hours emergency number is (973) 1724-2957; the fax number is (973) 1725-6242. The U.S. Embassy in Manama is located at Building No. 979, Road 3119, Block 331 Zinj District, Manama.  

The U.S. Embassy is open for all routine American Citizens Services by appointment via our website, bahrain.usembassy.gov. U.S. citizens with routine inquiries can write to manamaconsular@state.gov. U.S. citizens needing emergency assistance do not need an appointment, but should alert the American Citizens Services Unit by e-mail or calling the Embassy directly.

U.S. citizens in Bahrain are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements and can also help your family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency. U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll in person at the U.S. Embassy.

Updated information on travel and security in Bahrain may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Bahrain, as well as the Worldwide Caution. You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which also contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for unrest in Tunisia. The security situation in most tourist and business centers remains calm. However, spontaneous and unpredictable events, such as work stoppages and demonstrations still occur, a state of emergency remains in force, and curfews can be re-established on short notice. The U.S. Department of State continues to advise U.S. citizens currently in Tunisia to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. Travelers contemplating trips to the interior of the country should assess local conditions and routes when making travel plans, as conditions can change quickly. This Travel Alert supersedes the Travel Alert for Tunisia dated January 13, 2012, to update information on the security situation and travel within Tunisia, and expires on June 30, 2012. 

General elections, which were orderly and transparent, took place on October 23, 2011 and a new government assumed office on December 23. However, political protests, work stoppages, roadblocks, and other public disturbances still occur. Demonstrations have degenerated on several occasions into violent clashes between police and protesters, resulting in deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage. While demonstrations have not been directed against foreigners, U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly, and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse.

Tunisian security forces have noted the increased availability of small arms and other weapons in Tunisia throughout 2011, mostly due to trafficking from Libya. There have been occasional clashes between armed groups, resulting in casualties, property damage, and the declaration of temporary curfews. On February 1, 2012, security forces clashed with two armed men in a town near Sfax.  Two of the men were killed and the third was later arrested. The Ministry of Interior arrested a number of other individuals associated with the group and later confirmed that the group had links to Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and known weapons traffickers. In the southwest town of Gafsa, there have been ongoing clashes with fatalities between rival families over local land and labor disputes. Such incidents underscore the need for U.S. citizens to carefully consider all travel in the interior and to avoid travel in remote regions in the south of Tunisia.  All travel south of the designated military zone in the south must be coordinated in advance with Tunisian authorities.  The Tunisian National Guard encourages persons traveling into the desert to register their travel beforehand. For details on how and where to register, please visit the U.S. Embassy’s desert travel page.

Because of the security situation in Libya, and frequent clashes between tribal groups, the Ras Jedir and Dehiba border crossings may be closed occasionally and access to both crossings is strictly controlled by Tunisian security forces. Travelers should consult with local authorities before travelling to the border between Libya and Tunisia and read the Travel Warning for Libya.

The Embassy is located in the Les Berges du Lac suburb of Tunis. The Embassy telephone number is 216 71 107 000 and the Embassy fax number is 216 71 963 263. The Consular section can also be contacted by email at ConsularTunis@state.gov.

U.S. citizens in Tunisia are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security in Tunisia may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or via regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 from elsewhere. Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, found at travel.state.gov, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitterand the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook. You can also download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling to, or living in, Guinea-Bissau to the continuing possibility of sporadic unrest following reports of fighting and violence in Bissau, as a result of an attempted coup d’état.  Embassy Dakar has received reports of explosions and heavy weapons fire in Guinea-Bissau’s capital city.  Radio and television are reportedly off the air, and military forces are attempting to restrict movement.  The airport was closed on April 13, and its future operating status is not known.  The airport's operating status may well fluctuate repeatedly during the course of this crisis.  The threat of continued violence and an increased potential for political instability and civil or military unrest in Guinea-Bissau remains high.  U.S. citizens are urged to shelter in place and avoid the downtown area of Bissau.  U.S. citizens should also remain alert to local security developments, and be vigilant regarding personal security.  This Travel Alert expires on July 12, 2012. 

U.S. citizens are encouraged to stay informed and to practice good situational awareness when moving about in Guinea-Bissau.  You should carefully consider the current security situation before making plans to travel in Bissau.  We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can quickly, and with no advance warning, turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens to avoid crowds, political gatherings, and street demonstrations, even if they appear to be peaceful, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations or apparent fighting.  U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

There is currently no permanent U.S. diplomatic or consular presence in Guinea-Bissau.  The U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal is accredited for all diplomatic and security concerns.  The U.S. Liaison Office in Bissau (BLO) can provide limited services to U.S. citizens in the event of an emergency.  However, all security and consular services should be coordinated through the American Citizens Services Section and the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal.  The U.S. Liaison Office is located at: Edifício SITEC, Rua José Carlos Schwarz 245, Bairro d’Ajuda (Telephone: 245-325-6382).  The U.S. Embassy in Dakar is located on at Avenue Jean XXIII, Dakar; the mailing address is B.P. 49, Dakar, Senegal.  If you have questions or concerns about safety or related issues, you are encouraged to contact the consular section at the Embassy by sending an email message to consulardakar@state.gov .  The Embassy telephone number is (221) 33 829-2100. 

For after-hours emergencies, U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy Duty Officer at +221 33-829-2209.  If you are going to live in or travel to Senegal or Guinea-Bissau, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.  It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency.  You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date.  When you are enrolling or updating information, it is important to include your current phone number and current email address so we can reach you in case of an emergency.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy Dakar website, the Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.  Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well, or you can download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App for travel information at your fingertips. 

Up to date security information can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or living in Egypt to the continuing possibility of sporadic unrest. Egypt will hold the first round of presidential elections May 23-24, 2012, and if needed, a second round June 16-17, 2012. The new president is scheduled to take office no later than June 30, 2012. Political rallies and demonstrations are likely to occur in the period leading up to and following the elections and during the drafting of a new constitution. In the past year, demonstrations have degenerated on occasion into violent clashes between police and protesters, in some instances resulting in deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage. U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. The security situation in most tourist centers, including Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea Resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh, continues to be calm. This Travel Alert supersedes the Travel Alert dated November 7, 2011 and updates information on the security situation and upcoming elections. This Travel Alert expires June 30, 2012.

The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations in Egypt, as even peaceful ones can quickly become violent and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse. Several U.S. citizens have been arrested during demonstrations. Should security forces block off the area around the U.S. Embassy during demonstrations, U.S. citizens should not attempt to come to the U.S. Embassy during that time. U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to carry identification and, if moving about alone, a cell phone or other means of communication that works in Egypt.

The U.S. Embassy is open for all routine American Citizens' Services by appointment. U.S. citizens needing emergency assistance do not need an appointment. Visit the Embassy website to check the latest changes to Embassy hours or services. U.S. citizens with routine phone inquiries may call the Embassy's American Citizens Services section at (20)2-2797-2301, Sunday to Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. For emergencies after business hours and on weekends and holidays, U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Embassy switchboard on (20)2-2797-3300. The U.S. Embassy is closed on U.S. federal holidays. U.S. citizens in Egypt are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Internet website at travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution, Country Specific Information for Egypt, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. Download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).