From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Belarus Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 19:50:00 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1810 Path: world!bzs Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Message-ID: <199807061552_MC2-524C-719A@compuserve.com> Content-Disposition: inline Precedence: bulk Sender: "U.S. Department of State" <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com X-List-Info: LN=travel-advisories WHOM=76702.1202@compuserve.com Lines: 159 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Belarus ============================================================ Belarus - Consular Information Sheet July 6, 1998 Country Description: Economic and political reform in Belarus has stalled under the current government. Tourist facilities are not highly developed, and many of the goods and services taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. Localized street disturbances relating to political events may occur without warning, most frequently in the capital, Minsk. Bystanders face the possibility of arrest and detention. Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required. A visa must be obtained before entering Belarus. Travelers who do not have a visa cannot register at hotels. U.S. citizens residing in Belarus are required to register with the local Office of Visas and Registration (OVIR). Failure to do so can result in fines and visits from local militia. U.S. citizens residing in hotels are automatically registered at check-in. Visa validity dates are strictly enforced; travelers should request sufficient time to allow for delays in arrival and departure. For more information concerning entry requirements, travelers should contact the Belarus Embassy located at 1619 New Hampshire Ave, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009, tel. (202)986-1606 or the consulate in New York at 708 Third Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY, 10017, Tel. (212)682-5392. HIV Testing Requirement: Any person applying for a visa for a stay of more than three months must present a certificate showing that the individual is HIV negative. The certificate must contain the applicant's passport data, proposed length of stay in Belarus, blood test results for HIV infection, including date of the test, signature of the doctor conducting the test, medical examination results, diagnostic series, and seal of the hospital/medical organization. The certificate must be in both Russian and English and valid for three months from the date of the medical examination and testing. Medical Facilities: Medical care in Belarus is limited. There is a severe shortage of basic medical supplies, including anaesthetics, vaccines and antibiotics. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, which includes air evacuation, has proven to be useful. For further information, travelers may contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers' hotline at 1-888-232-3228, or their autofax service at 1-888-232-3299, or their Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. Crime Information: Belarus has a medium rate of crime and common street crime continues to increase, especially at night and in or near hotels frequented by foreigners. Foreigners, and particularly foreign cars, tend to be targets of crime. Travelers should keep a copy of their passport in a separate location from their original. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. Additional information on the region can be found in the brochure "Tips for Travelers to Russia and the Newly Independent States." Both publications are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Currency Regulations: Traveler's checks are not widely accepted in Belarus. Most Intourist hotels accept either American Express or Visa credit cards. In addition, one hotel in Minsk, the Planeta, provides cash from Visa credit cards during business hours. Travelers face arrest if they attempt to buy items with currency other than Belarusian rubles. Customs Regulations: Belarus' customs laws and regulations are complicated and enforcement is highly arbitrary. It is important to declare all currency and valuable items upon entry to the country. Travelers should ensure that they keep a copy of the customs declaration for presentation at departure. All items which appear to have historical or cultural value, i.e. icons, art, rugs, antiquities, etc., may be taken out of Belarus only with prior written approval of the Ministry of Culture and payment of 100 percent duty. Failure to follow the customs regulations may result in penalties ranging from confiscation of the property in question and/or the imposition of fines to arrest and possible imprisonment. Ground Transportation: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions which differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Belarus is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Fair Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor Rural Road conditions/Maintenance: Poor Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor The roads in Belarus range from short stretches of highways where cars and trucks can exceed speeds of 120 km/h to dirt roads where 40 km/h is difficult to sustain. Visible and hidden dangers are profuse, including large potholes, the absence of roadsigns, and lack of service areas. Other hazards include unlit or poorly lit streets, inattentive and dark-clothed pedestrians walking on unlit roads, drivers under the influence of alcohol, and a common disregard for traffic rules. Driving in winter is especially dangerous because many roads are not properly cleared of ice and snow. Driving with caution is urged at all times. Taxi service is prompt although fares vary greatly and the automobiles themselves are often in poor condition. Buses and trolleys are poorly maintained, unheated, uncooled, and usually crowded. Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Belarus, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Belarus' Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Belarus' air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet Home Page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travellers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. Air travel within Belarus is often unreliable, with unpredictable schedules and difficult conditions, including quality of service below Western standards. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Registration and Embassy Location: U.S citizens are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Belarus. The U.S. Embassy in Minsk is located at 46 Starovilenskaya Ulitsa; telephone (375) 172-31-5000. No. 98-90 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated January 2, 1997, to update the sections on Country Description, Entry Requirements, Medical Facilities, Currency Regulations, and Ground Transportation; to add sections on Customs Regulations and Aviation Safety Oversight; and to delete the section on Internal Travel. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories