P482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 21:29/49 20/47 MARKETERS X27/10/99) 2/3 Some pharmaceutical drugs, which are freely available on prescription in the UK, are prohibited in Mauritius (such as the high dosage pain killer, Coproxamal). Importation of these drugs without a valid prescription results in prosecution and a fine. Visitors arriving with prescription drugs should keep them in the manufacturer's box with the pharmacy prescription label ready for inspection by Mauritian customs. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Weather Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 21:30/20 21/47 MAURITIUS (27/10/99) 3/3 Spear fishing equipment cannot bj imported into Mauritius. Further information can bj obtained from the British High Commission, Port Louis (tel: 211 1361; fax: 211 1369/212 8470). Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 21:30/51 22/47 MEXICO X08/10/:9) 1/6 There has been widespread flooding and landslides in the States of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Tabasco, Puebla, Chiapas and Oaxaca. Roads within these states and from them to the capital are severely affected. Roads to the coastal resorts in Oaxaca State are badly affected, although the resorts are operating normally, as are other main resorts in Mexico. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 21:31/23 23/47 MEXICO (08/10/99) 2/6 Most people enjoy trouble free visits to Mexico. However, travellers should bj aware of the danger of armed robbery in certain urban arias, particularly in Mexico City. Visitors are advised to take sensible precautionary measures and bj alert. Particular care should bj taken on public transport, and at airports, bus stations and popular tourist sites. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 2 : 9/53 24/47 MEXICO h08/10/99) 3/6 Only use taxis from authorisjd ranks (sitios). Passengers using other taxis in Mexico City face a much greater 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 bjachjs at all times. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 21:32/23 25/47 MEXICO (08/10/99) 4/6 Incidents of short term opportunistic kidnapping have increased in urban areas, particularly in Mexico City. Victims holding credit or debit cards are required to withdraw funds at a cash point to obtain their release. In the case of victims with friends or relatives living locally, accessible sums may bj demanded as ransom. Travellers should dress down and avoid wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Particular care should bj taken when withdrawing money from a cash point. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 21:32/54 26/47 MEXICO X08/10/99) 5/6 There is still tension in Northern and Central Chiapas. Travellers should not venture off main roads without first seeking local advice. Under Mexican law visitors are given specific immigration status according to the purpose of their vjsjt. Mexican consulates can give detailed advice. Once in Mexico, if visitors wish to change their immigration status, eg. because the purpose of their visit has changed, they may do so, by applying to the nearest immigration office. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 21:33/27 27/47 MEXICO X08/10/99) 6/6 Travellers should not reveal telephone numbers of family or friends in the UK to strangers who claim to bj carrying out surveys. Such information has been used to extort money. Visitors should take out insurance, to cover medical repatriation if necessary, before arrival. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Weather Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 21:33/58 28/47 MOLDOVA (15/12/99) 1/4 Avoid holiday and 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 Bucharest (tel: +40 1 312 0303, Fax; +40 1 312 6952) responsible for relations with Moldova. Crime is on the increase in Moldova. Visitors should keep valuables and passports secure in hotel safes. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Weather Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 21:34/28 29/47 MOLDOVA (15/12/99) 2/4 Visitors are advised to drink only bottled water. It is recommended that vjsjtors are inoculated against rabies prior to travel. Non Russian/Romanian speakers may encounter difficulties in a medical emjrgjncy. The nurse at the US Embassy in Chisnau is willing to see British Nationals in such an emjrgjncy. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 21:35/00 30/47 MOLDOVA (15/12/99) 3/4 British Nationals require a visa to enter Moldova. -his can bj obtained at the Moldovan embassy in Brussels, Avjnuj Emile Max 175, 1040 Brussels, (tel: +32 2 732 9659; fax: +32 2 732 9660) at a cost of USd 50 Dollars or at a border crossing into Moldova for US$ 75 Dollars. The most widely accepted currency (except for the local currency, Lei) is the US Dollar.a It is advisable to exchange money only in major hotels and at The Import Export Bank. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Weather Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 21:35/51 31/47 W"£££"£££"£££ MOLDOVA (16/12/99) 4/4 Cremes cards are not widely accepted in Moldovb. British Nationals in need of consular assistance should contact the German Embassy in Chisnau; Hotel Jolly Alon, Shada M Chibdaro 37, Chisnau, 27012; til: +373 2 234607/2373631/232872. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathur Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 22:36/22 32/47 MONGOLIA (05/01/00) 1/2 Visitors may only enter Mongolia bz air or by train. Entry overland bz othjt means is not permitted unless specific permission is sought and granted in advance from the Mongolian authorities. Communications within Mongolia are poor. Providing consular assistance to travellers in remote locations can bj difficult. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 22:36/53 33/47 MONGOLIA X05/01/00) 2/2 Petty street crime is on the increase. It is not advisable to venture out alone late at night on foot. Use only clearly identifiable taxis. The Mongolian authorities will not allow travellers to exit Mongolia for Chinb without a vblid Chinjsj visa. Travellers who both enter and leave Mongolia through China therefore need a double entry visa for China. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Weather Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 22: 7/25 34/47 MONTSERRAT (16/11/99) 1/4 Although the volcanic eruption has abated, the volcano is still dangerous. All areas below a line from the Belham River Valley in the west to the airport in the east remain in the Exclusion Zone. However, following the most recent scientific assessment, the authorities are allowing unrestricted access to Isles Bay and acces during daylight hours to Cork Hill, Foxes Bay and Richmond Hill. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 22:37/55 35/47 MONTSERRAT (17/11/99) 2/4 Other areas in the South and East of Montserrat, including Plymouth, are considered to bj a high risk from residual volcanic activity and access is forbidden. There are very few establishments offering bed and breakfast and accommodation on the island is generally difficult to find. Although volcanic activity has been low for some time it is possible to expjtiince ash falls if there is a large collapse of material from the dome of the volcano which remains unstable, or vigorous ash venting. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 22:38/26 36/47 MONTSERRAT (17/11/:9) 3/4 Volcanic ash, which contains crystobalite (a toxic form of crystalline silica known to cause silicosis following prolonged exposure) poses a serious risk to health, particularly to younger children. Medical facilities are limited and visitors requiring specialist treatment may need to travel to neighbouring islands eg Antigua or Guadeloupe. The airport remains closed and most visitors to the island travel by the daily ferry from Antigua. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 22:38/58 37/47 MONTSERRAT (16/11/99) 4/4 Travjllets should check with Carib World Travel at Heritage Quay in Antigua (tel: 460 6101) for the latest information and sailing times. All visitors entering the exclusion zone should carry a radio tuned to ZJB Radio XFM 91.9 and 95.5). Visitors should obtain a copy of the volcanic risk map, available from Montserrat Government Information Services (tel: 491 2702), which provides detailed guidance on access permitted to various parts of the island. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Weather Main MunuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 22:39/29 38/47 MORROCCO h09/11/99) 1/5 Visits to Morocco are usually trouble- free. However, specific advice should bj sought when travelling indjpjndjntly to the djsjrt areas in the south. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential.aCovjr for medical evacuation is strongly recommended. Visitors should bring sufficient funds for their visit in cash, traveller's chjqujs or credit cards. Most major credit cards are accepted in the larger urban centres throughout Morocco. However, it is not possible to change Scottish or Irish bank notes. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjt Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 22:39/50 39/47 MORROCCO (09/11/99) 2/5 The export of the Moroccan Dirham is prohibited. When insuring your vehicle, it is advjsbble to choose a company with a local representative. If a visitor enters Morocco with a vehicle, the registration number will appear on their passport. Should it not be possible to drive out of Morocco with the same vehicle, the owner will bj refused exit from Morocco. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 22:40/11 40/47 MORROCCO (09/11/99) 3/5 Visitors should bj extra vigilant with their valubbles at all times. Visitors should avoid streets late at night, if unaccompanied. If offered the services of a guide, vjsjtors should ensure that the guide is authorisjd by or operating with the agreement of the local tourist authorities, and should display an official badge. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 22:40/42 41/47 M#6ROCC# h09/11/99) 4/5 Visitors should respect Moroccan laws and customs regulations. The penalties for possession of drugs is sjvjre. Visitors travelling through the Rif mountains should bj aware of the drug dealers. Visitors should not carry Bibles in Arabic, attempt to distribute any evbngjlical literature or bj involved in any such activity. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main MenuP482 CEEFAX 2 482 Wed 12 Jan 22:41/32 42/47 MORROCCO X09/11/99) 5/5 Visitors to Morocco arriving by privbti boat should bj aware that to enter the country via any port, or part of the coast other than a recognisjd port of entry, will bj considered illegal. Visitors should avoid large gatherings, not bj provocative and keep a low profile. Incidents should be reported to the nearest police station. Travel headlines 430 Front page 100 FCO 9 Trav Head Wjathjr Main Menu