Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:670 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!daemon From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com> Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Sierra Leone Message-ID: <950202145644_76702.1202_CHN27-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: daemon@world.std.com (daemons) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Thu, 2 Feb 1995 14:56:45 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 119 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Sierra Leone ============================================================ Sierra Leone - Travel Warning February 1, 1995 The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Sierra Leone. Travel within Sierra Leone should be considered extremely hazardous due to random and sporadic attacks by insurgents. Additional information may be found in the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet on Sierra Leone. No. 95-004 Sierra Leone - Consular Information Sheet July 25, 1994 Country Description: Sierra Leone is a developing country which has few facilities for tourism and poses considerable risks for travelers. Military activity and banditry affect large parts of the country outside Freetown. 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 security situation in Sierra Leone remains unstable. Travel outside of Freetown is considered extremely hazardous, due to armed attacks on roads and villages in many parts of the country. In addition, travelers may encounter difficulties at the numerous roadblocks and military checkpoints outside of Freetown. The U.S. Embassy has recommended that no Americans travel outside of Freetown unless they are directly involved in essential emergency relief work. Only two major European air carriers are currently servicing Lungi Airport, and the ferry service between the airport and Freetown is unreliable. Currency Regulations: Travelers must declare foreign currency being brought into Sierra Leone. Declaration is made 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: Localized changes in the security situation in specific areas can lead, without warning, to imposition of a curfew. 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 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. 94-128 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated April 22, 1994, to revise the paragraphs on Country Description and Areas of Instability. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 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