Heathrow and Gatwick: Turkey, France, Egypt and Indonesia issue travel advice and warnings after terror attacks, volcano eruption and strikes

The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Turkey, France, Egypt and Indonesia, warning of everything from strike action to the latest terrorist attacks. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a security warning this month for anyone wishing to travel to one of the four countries.

FCDO travel advice provides UK nationals with the latest information on travel to different countries so they can make informed travel decisions. The department provides advice on coronavirus, terrorism, safety and security, local laws and customs, entry requirements, health, natural disasters and money.

If the situation regarding one of these factors changes in a country, FCDO will update its travel advisories. Travel advisories for Turkey, France, Egypt and Indonesia have been updated between January 6 and January 18 due to circumstances such as military activity, political demonstrations and volcanic eruptions that increase the risk to tourists.

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Below is a summary of the latest FCDO travel advisory updates for Turkey, France, Egypt and Indonesia.

turkey

Turkey’s travel advice was updated on January 16, warning travelers not to travel to the eastern province of Hakkari – or to use “extreme caution” if you must travel to the region for essential travel, keep up to date with local media and follow local authorities’ advice. suggestion.

This is because Mount Ararat in Aarat province is a special military zone and entry permits must be obtained from the Doğubayazıt government office and paid at the local governor’s office. If you are coming with a travel agency or a tour group, you should check with them if you need an individual permit.

In 2022, British nationals will visit Turkey more than 3.33 million times. Most visits are no problem.

France

France’s travel advice was updated on Jan. 18 to warn travelers that travel could be disrupted by strike action. On January 19, more than a million people took to the streets to protest the government’s plan to raise the retirement age for most workers.

Protests in major French cities including Paris, Marseille, Toulouse, Nantes and Nice have brought many transport services to a standstill and the Eiffel Tower closed to tourists. A handful of demonstrators turned violent in Paris, throwing bottles, rocks and fireworks at riot police.

The strike action was joined by all eight of the largest unions, who called for another day of action on Jan. 31. The Foreign Office warned tourists to avoid demonstrations “where possible”, to follow the advice of local authorities and to expect a heavy police/gendarme presence around demonstrations.

Around 17 million British nationals visit France each year. Most visits are no problem. The most common problem reported was pickpocketing.

Egypt

Egypt’s travel advice was updated on Jan. 6, advising travelers to avoid several of the country’s northern provinces following the terrorist attack west of the Suez Canal in late December.

Although most attacks took place in North Sinai, with one attack west of the Suez Canal on December 30, 2022, targeting security forces within the city of Ismailia, FCDO advised that the risk of terrorist attacks remains throughout the country.

FCDO is advise against travel arrive North Sinai Province (local government area), and banned all travel within 20 kilometers of the border between Egypt and Libya, excluding the town of El Salloum, which advised against all but “essential” travel.

FCDO All but essential travel advised against arrive:

• Northern South Sinai beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road (excluding coastal areas to the west and east of the peninsula, between the Suez border crossing and Taba in southern South Sinai).

• East of Ismailia Province, east of the Suez Canal.

• Areas west of the Nile Valley and the Nile Delta. This excludes Fayoum province, the coastal area between the Nile Delta and Matruh, the Matruh-Siwa road and the oasis town of Siwa.

• Halayb Delta.

• Bir Tawil trapezoid.

You should also follow the advice of the Egyptian authorities to be particularly vigilant and maintain a high level of security awareness in crowded places and large gatherings.

An estimated 476,000 British nationals visited Egypt in 2019. Most visits are no problem.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s travel advice was updated on January 8 following the eruption of Mount Marapi in the West Sumatra region. At 10 am Western Indonesia Time (WIB) on January 7, the Marapi volcano in Sumatra erupted for about 45 seconds, spewing ash up to 300 meters into the air.

Indonesian authorities have imposed a 3km exclusion zone, which means tourists and locals are not allowed to enter the area and within 3km of the crater. If you are in any of the restricted areas, you should leave immediately. See Mount Sinabung and Mount Semula.

FCDO Indonesia’s travel advice page will be updated as the situation develops. Travelers to the country are advised to remain vigilant and follow the advice of local security authorities and/or your travel agent.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to:

• It is less than 5 kilometers from the Sinabung Crater in Kalo Regency, North Sumatra.
• Within 5 km from Mount Semeru Crater in Lumajang Regency, East Java. Also southeast of Mount Semeru along the Besuk Kobokan River, about 13 kilometers from the crater and 500 meters from any Besuk Kobokan bank.

Around 390,000 British nationals visit Indonesia each year.

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