Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories From: 76702.1202@compuserve.COM (Wally Doerge) Subject: ALL: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Sierra Leone Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Tue, 22 Mar 1994 16:31:38 GMT STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Sierra Leone ============================================================ Sierra Leone - Consular Information Sheet March 19, 1994 Country Description: Sierra Leone is a developing West African nation. There is an active, highly visible military presence throughout the country. Facilities for tourism are limited. Telephone service is unreliable. Entry Requirements: A passport and a visa are required. Airport visas are not available upon arrival in Sierra Leone for United States citizens. Visas must, therefore, be obtained in advance from a Sierra Leonean embassy or consulate. Yellow fever immunizations are required. Malaria suppressants are used by most visitors. For current entry information the traveler may contact the Embassy of Sierra Leone, 1701 19th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, telephone (202) 939-9261. Areas of Instability: The U.S. Embassy in Freetown advised U.S. citizens of the following on March 17, 1994: "The security situation in Sierra Leone remains unstable. Only three major European air carriers are currently servicing Lungi Airport, and the ferry service between the airport and Freetown is unreliable. Although the government recaptured Kono district and the town of Kailahun, attacks on military and civilian targets in the Kenema area and in Koribundu south of Bo have increased tensions and generated large numbers of displaced persons. An attack on the missionary hospital at Panguma resulted in the deaths of four expatriates. The highway between Kenema and Bo has been intermittently closed due to attacks on military and civilian vehicles. The area of the country southeast of a line extending >from Sefadu to Bo to Bonthe is generally unsafe for travel. As a result of the military activity in the east and south, thousands of displaced people have moved to areas in the northern province. Food and medical supplies are not guaranteed in these areas. There are numerous roadblocks and checkpoints outside Freetown, and travel up-country after dark is particularly dangerous. Americans contemplating travel up-country should check with the U.S. Embassy for current information before commencing such travel." Currency Regulations: Travelers over the age of 16 must exchange a minimum of $100 (U.S. ) upon arrival, and declare other foreign currency on an exchange control form which must be certified and stamped at the port of entry. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities fall far short of U.S. standards. Medicines are in short supply, sterility of equipment is questionable, and treatment is unreliable. Many primary health care workers, especially in rural areas, lack professional training. Instances of misdiagnosis, improper treatment and administration of improper drugs have been reported. Persons with medical conditions that may require treatment or medications are discouraged from traveling to Sierra Leone. International air carriers are reluctant to assist with medical evacuations from Sierra Leone. Private charter evacuations, costing thousands of dollars, may be necessary. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved to be useful. Information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559. Information on Crime: Petty crime and theft of wallets and passports are common. Requests for payments at military roadblocks are common. Robberies and burglaries of residences also occur. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Curfew: There is an official nationwide curfew from 2:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. Localized changes in the security situation in specific areas can lead, without warning, to imposition of much more stringent curfew hours. 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 strictly enforced. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Photography Restrictions: Permission is required to photograph government buildings, airports, bridges or official-looking buildings. Areas forbidding photography are not marked or defined. Dual Nationality: Dual nationals who are bearers of Sierra Leone passports are required to present proof of payment of taxes before being granted departure clearance from Sierra Leone. U.S. consular assistance to persons of dual nationality may be extremely limited. Registration: U.S. citizens may register at the U.S. Embassy, at which time they may obtain updated information on travel and security in Sierra Leone. In the event of civil disorder or national crisis, U.S. citizens are asked to contact the U.S. Embassy. Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy is located at the corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens streets in the capital city of Freetown. The telephone number is (232-22) 226-481. U.S. consular services are limited to areas under government control; personnel constraints imposed on the U.S. Embassy limit the assistance which can be provided even in those areas. No. 94-034 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 3, 1993, to revise the paragraph on Areas of Instability.