Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:864 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!bzs From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Guyana Message-ID: <951020141629_76702.1202_CHN63-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Fri, 20 Oct 1995 14:16:30 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 128 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Guyana ============================================================ Guyana - Consular Information Sheet October 19, 1995 Country Description: Guyana is a developing nation. Except for hotels in the capital city of Georgetown, tourist facilities are not fully developed. Road conditions throughout the country are poor. Entry Requirements: Valid passports are required for all U.S. citizens to enter Guyana. Dual nationals must have a U.S. passport to depart Guyana for the U.S. Unlike the rest of the Caribbean, a naturalization certificate or birth certificate does not fulfill immigration or boarding requirements for departure from Guyana. On arrival, all visitors are granted a 30-day stay. Extensions of stay may be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs at 6 Brickdam, Georgetown, Guyana. The extension must then be noted in the visitor's passport by the Central Immigration Office located on Camp Road, Georgetown, Guyana. Travelers for other than tourism purposes should also check in with the Ministry of Home Affairs if they require additional information about Guyana's immigration requirements for work permits and extended stays. For other information, travelers may consult the Embassy of Guyana at 2490 Tracy Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel.: (202) 265-6900 or the Consulate General in New York City. Medical Facilities: Medical care is available for minor medical problems, but emergency care and major medical care requiring a hospital stay are very limited due to a lack of specialists, diagnostic aids and poor sanitary conditions in most medical facilities. Travelers are advised to bring prescription medicine sufficient for their length of stay and should be aware that Guyana's humid climate may affect some items. Prescription medicine (mainly generic) has now become available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the U.S. In some instances, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful, particularly when a medical evacuation is necessary. For additional health information, the traveler may contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559 or the CDC fax information service at (404) 332-4565. Crime Information: Crimes against people and property have become commonplace. Foreigners in particular are viewed as wealthy targets of opportunity. Crimes of violence are primarily confined to Georgetown and the other more populated areas of Guyana. Most crimes occur in the major business and shopping districts of Georgetown, in and around the two major indoor/outdoor markets of Stabroek and Bourda, and in the vicinity of the two major hotels most frequented by tourists and other foreigners (Tower and Forte Crest). The area adjacent to the seawall in Georgetown is usually deserted and therefore dangerous except early in the morning and in the late afternoon when it is frequented by people walking or jogging. Burglary from vehicles is common, but is very low from rooms at the major hotels. Police are cooperative but largely ineffective. U.S. visitors who suffer criminal assaults are encouraged to contact the police as well as the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy (or the duty officer after hours) for advice and assistance. In addition to money, thieves seek U.S. passports and Alien Registration Cards. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport overseas should be reported to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens should be prepared to present evidence of citizenship and identity as well as a letter from Guyana Immigration showing entry into the country with a U.S. passport in addition to a police report. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad," which provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad. Both this pamphlet and "Tips for Travelers to Central and South America" are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Other Information: Some visitors wish to take a tropical bird back to the U.S. Many birds are protected species, and quarantine space must be obtained in advance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Proof that space has been reserved for the bird in the U.S. must be presented to the Guyana Ministry of Agriculture before permission for export will be given. This process takes some time, so it is unlikely that a temporary traveler will be able to complete the paperwork during a short visit to Guyana. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Criminal penalties for possession, use and dealing with illegal drugs are strict, even for small amounts. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and proportionately high fines charged as court costs. Civil Aviation Oversight: In January 1994, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration assessed Guyana's Civil Aviation Authority as in compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for Guyanese carriers operating to and from the U.S. However, during its assessment, the FAA noted that Guyana's operations to destinations other than the U.S. are not provided a similar level of safety oversight. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873. Embassy Location/Registration: U.S. citizens may register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy located at 99-100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown; telephone (592-2) 54-900. The Consular Section's entrance is on Duke Street. Office hours Monday through Friday are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. For emergencies after hours, weekends and holidays, call (592-2) 57-963. U.S. citizens may obtain updated information on travel and security within Guyana upon request when they register at the U.S. Embassy. No. 95-131 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated September 7, 1994 to update information on entry requirements, medical facilities and crime information and to amend the Consular Section's hours. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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