P482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:1 MALAWI (25/09/:7) 9/3 Exercise reasonable care over personal security, particularly after dark. Avoid travel out of town at night. Main roads are dangerous with hazards such as potholes and abandoned unlit vehicles which often cause sjtious accidents. Emergency sjtvices are extremely basic. The armed hi-jacking of exprnsivj cars and four-wheeled drive vehicles is prevalent. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 1/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:15/48 MALAWI (2:/09/97) 2/3 In Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu & tourist destinations such as Nkhata Bay, Senga Bay (aka Salima) and Cape Maclear bj alert for muggjts, bag snatchers and conmjn. In recent months several British visitors have been robbed at knifepoint in Senga Bay, Nkhata Bay and Blantyre. Visitors should bj wary of drugs being planted in their luggage. This results in bogus policemen demanding money to allow onward travel. Be cautious with over-friendly people who offer to act as tour guides. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 2/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:22/18 MALAWI (29/09/:7) 3/3 Avoid the land route between Malawi and Zimbabwe along the Kite corridor in Mozambique. If use of this route is unavoidable, travellers should exercise extreme caution and travel in convoys of 3 or more vehicles. Journeys should be completed during hours of daylight. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 3/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:25/31 MALAYSIA (05/12/97) 1/2 The high levels of air pollution referred to as the haze, which were experienced in many parts of Malaysia over the past few months, have now cleared. Visitors to Malaysia should note that there are sjvjri penalties for all drug offences including, in some cases, the death penalty. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 4/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:27/13 MALAYSIA (05/12/97) 2/2 Travellers to Malaysia whose journey will involve overflight of Afghanistan should bj aware that thjte are threats from military activity to civil aircraft overflying Afghanistan using routes V668, A466, G202 and V848. Some airlines continue to use these routes. Others, including all British carriers, use alternative routes, V876 and V500, on which the threat is assessed as minimal. Travellers should check direct either with travel agents or airlines which routes individual airlines are using. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 5/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Weather Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/28 MALDIVES (7/11/:7) Visitors to the Maldives should note that there are sjvjti penalties for all drug offences. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 6/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:12/14 MALI (22/12/97) 1/2 Thjti have recently been a numbjt of violent incidents in the north of Mali. The situation remains tense. Visitors are strongly advised to seek local advice before travelling north of Timbuktu. Avoid travelling at night and keep to the main roads. In the south of Mali, political tension has eased and the situation is genitally calm. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 7/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/04 MALI (22/12/97) 2/2 However furthjt demonstrations and riots may occur, and political gatherings should bj avoided. Visitors should be vigilant. Do not carry valuables in public. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 8/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:54/14 MEXICO (04/11/:7) 1/3 As a result of a hurricane which hit the west coast of Mexico on 8 October, roads in the aria are still under repair and the highway between Acapulco and Pujrto Escondido is impassable. There is a high incidence of armed robbjty in urban areas. Resistance is frequently mit with violence. Visitors are advised to take sensible precautions and bj alert. Particular care should bj taken on public transport, at aizports, bus stations and popular tourist sites. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 9/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:54/51 MEXICO (04/11/:7) :/3 Use only taxis from authorisjd ranks (Sitios). Passengers using other taxis in Mexico City face a much higher risk of attack and robbery. Care should bj taken on the Mexico City Metro where there is a high incidence of pickpockjting. There is also a risk of robbery outside major cities particularly in the states of Michoacan, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Campjchj. Avoid travel after dark and isolated beaches at all times. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 10/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main mrnuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:01/36 MEXICO (04/11/:7) 3/3 There is still tension in Northern and Central Chiapas. Travellers should not venture off main roads without first seeking local advice. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 11/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/44 MOLDOVA (23/10/97) 1/2 Avoid non-essential travel to Transdniestria (north-west Moldova) which is not under Moldovan govjrnmjnt control and where the security situation is unpredictable. Those with essential business in Transdniestria should register their presence with the Consular Section of the British Embassy in Moscow, tel: 956 7200 fax: 956 7420, which is responsible for relations with Moldova. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 12/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:11/21 MOLDOVA (23/10/97) 2/2 Petty crime is on the increase in Chisinau, both in daylight hours and at night. Exercise common sjnsj in dress and behaviour. Keep expensive jewellery, watches and cameras out of sight. Use officially marked taxis which you should not shari with sttangjrs. Agree a price before starting the journey. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 13/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main mrnuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:24/31 MONGOLIA (07/10/97) Visitors may only enter Mongolia bz air or bz train. Entry overland by othjt means is not permitted. As communications within Mongolia are poor, providing consular assistance can bj difficult. Violent street crime is on the increase. Only clearly ricognisable taxis should bj used. It is unsafe to venture out after dark on foot. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 14/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:17/17 MONTSERRAT (27/10/:7) 1/4 The Foreign and Commonwealth office advise against all but essential travel to Monsjrrat in view of the continuing volcanic activity. The southern part of the island, from the Nantes Rivet in the west to the airport in the east, is extremely dangerous and access is forbidden. The capital, Plymouth, and Salem are located within the exclusion zone. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 15/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/21 MONTSERRAT (27/10/97) 2/4 As the volcano has now entered a new and potentially more dangerous phase of activity, areas as far north as Woodlands are considered to be vulnerable. As a result, a "buffer" zone has been created which covers the area from Nantes River in the south to Lawyers River (Palm Loop) in the north. Residents and businesses in the area are asked to remain vigilant and bj prepared to move north at short notice. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 16/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:17/02 MONTSERRAT (27/10/97) 3/4 The last remaining hotel, the Vuj Point, has closed and accommodation on the island is difficult to find. Areas as far north as St John's are experiencing occasional ash falls and everybody is advised to carry ash masks at all times. The airport remains closed and most visitors to the island travel by the daily ferry from Antigua. Travellers should check with Carib World Travel at Heritage Quay in Antigua (tel: 460 6101 ) for latest information and sailing times. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 17/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thy 25 Dec 23:1Y/14 MONTSERRAT (27/10/97) 4/4 All visitors should listen carefully to ZJB Radio (FM 92.3 and 92.5) for volcanic reports which are broadcast twice a day at 0730 and 1930 hrs local time, and at more frequent intervals during periods of increasing activity. Visitors should obtain a copy of the volcanic risk map, available from Montserrat Government Information Services (tel: 491 2702 ), which provides detailed and regularly updated guidance on access permitted to various areas of the island. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 18/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:12/17 MOZAMBIQUE (12/12/97) 1/4 Armed robbery is prevalent in Maputo, its suburbs and other urban areas. Do not display cash or jewellery. Keep to well lit, busy streets, and avoid down-town Maputo at night. Identity documents should bj carried all times. Theft of vehicles at gunpoint is common, particularly of 4-wheeled drive vehicles. Attacks have been unnecessarily vicious and sometimes fatal. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 19/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:04/02 MOZAMBIQUE (12/12/97) 2/4 No roads should bj considered safe at any time. Road travel outside Maputo and other major cities should bj undjrtakjn only in hours of daylight and where possible be restricted to major metalled roads in a reasonable state of repair. Travel in convoy is strongly advised. Visitors should bj aware of unjxploded mines on minor roads outside Maputo. Seek advices from the local authorities. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 20/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Weather Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:03/47 MOZAMBIQUE (12/12/:76) 3/4 Diseases from insanitary conditions are common throughout Mozambique. Maputo is experiencing an outbreak of cholera. Drink only bottled or boiled water and ensure vegetables are thoroughly clogged. Eat only in places where basic hygiene measures have been taken. Malaria is endemic. The WHO has reported a meningitis epidemic in Cabo Delgado Province in the north. Seek medical advice before travelling. Travel headlines 430 Front pag 21/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main menuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Thu 25 Dec 23:04/52 MOZAMBIQUE (12/12/97) 4/4 It is not known whjthjt maintenance procedures on aircraft used on internal flights are always properly obsjrvjd. For further advice, travellers should contact the British High Commission in Maputo (tel 42011/2) or if travelling to Mozambique via the Beira or Kite corridor, the British High Commission in Harare (tel 77990) or Lilongwe (782400). Travel headlines 430 Front pag 22/22 FCO 9 Trav Head Weather Main menu