Situation in Egypt: Information for U.S. Citizens Currently in Egypt

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Assistant Secretary Jacob Delivers Message for U.S. Citizens on the Situation in Egypt

January 30, 2011

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Q-wymM5Xk


Egypt: Public Service Announcement for American Citizens

Remarks
Janice Jacobs, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs

Washington, DC

January 30, 2011




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As Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, I want you to know that the Department of State is very focused on the safety and security of U.S. citizens living and visiting in Egypt.

State Department personnel at our Embassy in Cairo and here in the United States are working round-the-clock to ensure the safety our Americans. We?re monitoring the situation on the ground in Egypt, communicating information and implementing crisis response plans. We are communicating via our website, emails, call centers, social media, radio and television to get information out to U.S. citizens on the ground in Egypt who are understandably worried. We are sending additional consular personnel to Egypt to augment our Embassy staff. Charter flights out of Cairo will begin tomorrow.

We are aware that not all U.S. citizens have internet or cell phone service in Egypt. We do know that many Americans are in contact with friends and family outside of Egypt. Because of communications interruptions, we ask that family and friends in the United States assist us by relaying information to their loved ones in Egypt directly. The most up-to-date information ? including evacuation instructions ? can be found on our website at travel.state.gov.

The U.S. Department of State is arranging transportation to safe haven locations in Europe. This assistance will be provided on a reimbursable basis, as required by U.S. law. U.S. citizens who travel on U.S. government?arranged transport will be expected to make their own onward travel plans. We expect initial flights to go into Athens, Istanbul and Nicosia, Cyprus. Consular personnel at those locations will be available to help citizens make their arrangements for lodging and onward travel.

The charter flights are not intended to supplant Americans? existing commercial travel plans. Citizens with ticketed flights should contact their airlines. All U.S. citizen travelers, their spouses and children are required to have valid travel documents.

Again, you can find the most up-to-date information at travel.state.gov. Thank you for helping us communicate with U.S. citizens in Egypt. When you reach them, please assure them that their government is focused on their welfare and safety.

http://www.state.gov/p/nea/rls/rm/155594.htm

[Pathfinder]

Re: Situation in Egypt: Information for U.S. Citizens Currently in Egypt

Warden Message #6: January 31, 2011

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January 31, 2011

U.S. Embassy Cairo

The U.S. Embassy in Cairo informs U.S. citizens in Egypt who wish to depart that the Department of State is making arrangements to provide transportation to safehaven locations in Europe. This assistance will be provided on a reimbursable basis, as required by U.S. law. U.S. citizens who travel on US government ? arranged transport will be expected to make their own onward travel plans from the safehaven location. Flights to evacuation points will begin departing Egypt on Monday, January 31.

There will be a limited number of seats available on evacuation flights on January 31. Priority will be given to persons with medical emergencies or severe medical conditions. Persons interested in departing Egypt via USG-chartered transportation should contact the US Department of State and Embassy Cairo by sending an email to EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444. Please provide the following information:
Name, age, place of birth, U.S. passport number and any special medical needs.

Immediate family members (spouses and children) who are not U.S. citizens must be documented for entry into the safehaven country and/or U.S., if that is your final destination.

Frequently Asked Question

I?m ready to go. What do I do?
Documented U.S. citizens may proceed to the HAJ Terminal 4 of the airport as of Monday, January 31, 11:00 am.

My child is a U.S. citizen. Can my whole family be evacuated?
A U.S. citizen child may be escorted by one adult, preferably a parent, who has appropriate travel documents. If a family has more than one U.S. citizen child, the one-adult rule still applies.

Do I need a U.S. passport?
All U.S. citizen travelers and their spouses and children, are required to have valid travel documents. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo will assist U.S. citizens with travel documents. U.S. citizens who do not hold a valid U.S. passport or visa and are interested in departing Egypt via USG-chartered transportation should contact the US Department of State and Embassy Cairo by sending an email to EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444.

What do I do if my child is a U.S. citizen, but hasn?t yet been documented?
Contact the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. U.S. citizens who do not hold a valid U.S. passport or visa interested in departing Egypt via USG-chartered transportation should contact the U.S. Department of State and Embassy Cairo by sending an email to EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444.

My family members aren?t U.S. citizens. Can they travel with me?
The scheduled evacuation flights will transport U.S. citizens and their immediate family members. Immediate family members ? defined as spouses and children ? who are not U.S. citizens will be required to have travel documentation that will permit their entry into the safe haven destinations. At this time, flights are expected to travel to Istanbul, Turkey, Athens, Greece, and Nicosia, Cyprus. Safe haven destinations may change. U.S. citizens requesting evacuation will not be able to select their safe haven destinations.

Will you fly me to the United States?
Our goal is to get people to a safe place, where they can make their own onward travel arrangements. Travelers will be responsible for their own onward travel arrangements and accommodations in the safe haven city. Consular officers will provide travelers with information on airlines and hotels.

What should I bring?
Travelers should bring valid travel documents and any necessary medications.
Each traveler may bring one suitcase and a small personal carry-on item.
U.S. citizens seeking evacuation should be prepared for a substantial wait at the airport. Travelers are advised to bring food, water, diapers and other necessary toiletries with them to the airport.

What about my pets?
Evacuation flights will not be able to accommodate pets.

Do I have to pay for the flight?
U.S. citizens requesting evacuation will be asked to sign paperwork promising to reimburse the U.S. Government for flight costs at a later date. Exact flight costs are not yet available, but should be comparable to a one-way commercial flight from Egypt to the safe haven location.

How do I get to the airport?
At this time, public transport to include taxis is still operating in Egypt.

http://egypt.usembassy.gov/wm_013111.html

http://egypt.usembassy.gov/

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Re: Situation in Egypt: Information for U.S. Citizens Currently in Egypt

Travel Warning
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

Egypt

January 30, 2011

• Update - January 31 Curfew hours are 3 p.m. to 8 a.m.

The U.S. Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Egypt due to ongoing political and social unrest. On January 30, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of dependents and non-emergency employees. Violent demonstrations have occurred in several areas of Cairo, Alexandria and other parts of the country, disrupting road travel between city centers and airports. Disruptions in communications, including internet service, may occur. The Government of Egypt has imposed a curfew from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez until further notice, and U.S. citizens should obey curfew orders and remain indoors during curfew hours. U.S. citizens currently in Egypt should consider leaving as soon as they can safely do so. Cairo airport is open and operating, but flights may be disrupted and transport to the airport may be disrupted due to the protests. Travelers should remain in contact with their airlines or tour operators concerning flight schedules, and arrange to arrive at the airport well before curfew hours.

In the event of demonstrations, U.S. citizens in Egypt should remain in their residences or hotels until the situation stabilizes. Security forces may block off the area around the U.S. Embassy during demonstrations, and U.S. citizens should not attempt to come to the U.S. Embassy or the Tahrir Square area at such times. The U. S. Embassy is open for emergency services for U.S. citizens only until further notice. As always, any change to Embassy hours will be posted on the Embassy website.

U.S. citizens in Egypt who require assistance, or those who are concerned that their U.S. citizen loved one in Egypt may require assistance, should contact the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo at EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov, or at 1-202-501-4444. Please follow the directions on the Embassy website for all other consular inquiries.

Demonstrations have degenerated on several occasions into violent clashes between police and protesters, resulting in injuries and extensive property damage. While demonstrations have not been directed toward Westerners, U.S. citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security. The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse. If caught unexpectedly near a demonstration, U.S. citizens should obey instructions from police and leave the area as quickly as possible. U.S. citizens resident in Egypt should monitor local news broadcasts and U.S. citizen visitors should ask tour guides and hotel officials about any planned demonstrations in the locations they plan to visit. U.S. citizens should carry identification and a cell phone which works in Egypt.

U.S. citizens in Egypt are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security in Egypt may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Egypt, as well as the Worldwide Caution.

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5263.html

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Re: Situation in Egypt: Information for U.S. Citizens Currently in Egypt

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</OBJECT>Ordered Departure Declared for Egypt

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Press Statement
Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs, Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

February 1, 2011


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On February 1, the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. Government personnel and their families from Egypt in light of recent events. The Department of State will continue to facilitate the evacuation of U.S. citizens who require assistance. Cairo airport is open and operating, but flights may be disrupted and transport to the airport may be disrupted due to the protests. U.S. citizens in Egypt who require assistance, or those who are concerned that their U.S. citizen loved one in Egypt may require assistance, should contact the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo at: EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov, or at 1-202-501-4444. Please follow the directions on the Embassy website for all other consular inquiries.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/02/155762.htm

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Re: Situation in Egypt: Information for U.S. Citizens Currently in Egypt

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Media Note
Washington, DC

February 1, 2011



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The State Department remains focused on the welfare and safety of U.S. citizens in Egypt. Approximately 1,600 U.S citizens and their family members have been evacuated from Egypt in an operation that began on Monday, January 31. We will continue evacuation efforts to facilitate the safe transport of every U.S. citizen who wishes to leave the country.

The movement of citizens from Cairo slowed slightly on Tuesday, February 1, as U.S. citizens encountered difficulties traveling to the airport due to road closures related to demonstrations. Just under 400 passengers were flown to safe havens in Istanbul and Athens on February 1 aboard three U.S. Government-chartered planes. A fourth plane awaiting take-off will bring the day?s total to more than 460.

Commercial flights in and out of Cairo are restricted to operations during non-curfew hours. U.S.-sponsored evacuation flights have been permitted to operate around the clock. Airports in Alexandria remain open and U.S. citizens have been able to depart on private charters and commercial flights.

Although demonstrations have not targeted U.S. citizens, we are advising them to remain in their homes and hotels until demonstrations subside. Those wishing to depart from Cairo may proceed to Terminal 1, Hall 4, in Cairo International Airport, after curfew is lifted at 8 a.m. We will continue to send charter flights to evacuate U.S. citizens as rapidly as possible.
Although non-emergency Embassy personnel and employees? families have been ordered to depart Egypt, the Department continues to send personnel into Cairo and to our safe haven locations. The Embassy remains open only for U.S. citizen services during non-curfew hours. Visa operations have been suspended.

So far, more than 3,000 U.S. citizens have communicated a desire to be evacuated, but we know that there will be others who have not contacted us or who are proceeding directly to the airport. The most up-to-date information for U.S. citizens in Egypt can be found on our website Travel.State.Gov. U.S. citizens in Egypt, or persons concerned for their U.S. citizen loved ones in Egypt also may contact the State Department by email at EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov or telephone at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (outside the United States and Canada).

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/02/155819.htm

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Re: Situation in Egypt: Information for U.S. Citizens Currently in Egypt

Public Announcement

<!-- begin position 1 -->Updated FAQ for Friday, February 4, 2011

Frequently Asked Questions:

Has the curfew changed?
A curfew is currently in effect throughout Egypt from 5pm until 7am in the morning.

I'm ready to go. What do I do?
If you wish to depart Egypt you should proceed to your local airport and secure commercial passage out of the country. If there is a U.S. Government evacuation flight on Saturday, proceed to Terminal 1, Hall 4 (Hajj Hall) as soon as possible on Saturday, February 5. Do not wait for a call from the U.S. Embassy. Further delay is not advisable.

Where is the flight on Saturday going?
At this time, we do not have confirmation of the potential U.S. evacuation flight's destination. Similar to previous flights, however, it will be to a European safe haven location and we will offer repatriation loans for any U.S. citizen seeking assistance.

Are there plans for any charter flights from Alexandria?
We have no information about future charter flights from Alexandria. We highly recommend that U.S. citizens seeking to depart Egypt do so now either by commercial airline or via Saturday's charter flight from Cairo.

Do I need to prove I completed military service to board a plane?
Male Egyptians and Egyptian-dual nationals must present a military service exemption certificate before they will be permitted to depart Egypt. Male Egyptians and Egyptian-dual nationals staying in Egypt for more than six months from the date of arrival, and who have not completed military service, are not generally required to enlist in the armed forces. Exemption certificates are available through the Ministry of Defense Draft Office.

I wish to travel by commercial air carrier - how do I book a flight?
While some flights are still disrupted, major airlines are still operating out of Egyptian airports. Please contact your airline or travel agent to book a ticket prior to heading to the airport. If you already have an existing ticket or reservation please contact your airline to confirm your flight status.

My child is a U.S. citizen. Can my whole family be evacuated?
A U.S. citizen child may be escorted by one adult, preferably a parent, who has appropriate travel documents. If a family has more than one U.S. citizen child, the one-adult rule still applies.

Do I need a U.S. passport?
All U.S. citizen travelers and their spouses and children are required to have valid travel documents. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo will assist U.S. citizens with travel documents. U.S. citizens who do not hold a valid U.S. passport and are interested in departing Egypt via USG-chartered transportation should contact the U.S. Department of State and Embassy Cairo by sending an email to EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444.

What do I do if my child is a U.S. citizen, but hasn't yet been documented?
Contact the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. U.S. citizens who do not hold a valid U.S. passport interested in departing Egypt via USG-chartered transportation should contact the U.S. Department of State and Embassy Cairo by sending an email to EgyptEmergencyUSC@state.gov or by calling 1-202-501-4444.

My family members aren't U.S. citizens. Can they travel with me?
Evacuation flights will transport U.S. citizens and their immediate family members. Immediate family members - defined as spouses and children who are not U.S. citizens - will be required to have travel documentation that will permit their entry into the safe haven destinations. At this time, flights are expected to travel to Istanbul, Turkey; Athens, Greece; and Nicosia, Cyprus. Safe haven destinations may change. U.S. citizens requesting evacuation will not be able to select their safe haven destinations.

NOTE: Non-U.S. citizens accompanying evacuated U.S. citizens to safe haven locations have been able to apply for an airport entrance visa on arrival to the safe have location. Non-U.S. citizens planning onward travel not already holding visas or Legal Permanent Residency Status for entry into the United States will need to visit the U.S. Embassy in the safe haven location to apply for a visa prior to scheduling onward travel.

Will you fly me to the United States?
No. Our goal is to get people to a safe place, where they can make their own onward travel arrangements. Travelers will be responsible for their own onward travel arrangements and accommodations in the safe haven city. Consular officers will provide travelers with information on airlines and hotels. Non-U.S. citizens planning onward travel to the U.S. who do not already hold U.S. visas or Legal Permanent Residency Status will need to visit the U.S. Embassy in the safe haven location to apply for a visa prior to scheduling onward travel.

How do I get a visa (to safe haven country or the United States)?
Non-U.S. citizens accompanying evacuated U.S. citizens to safe haven locations have been able to apply for an airport entrance visa on arrival to the safe have location. Non-U.S. citizens planning onward travel not already holding visas or Legal Permanent Residency Status for entry into the United States will need to visit the U.S. Embassy in the safe haven location to apply for a visa prior to scheduling onward travel.

What should I bring?
Travelers should bring valid travel documents and any necessary medications. Each traveler may bring one suitcase (not more than 44lbs) and a small personal carry-on item. U.S. citizens seeking evacuation should be prepared for a substantial wait at the airport. Travelers are advised to bring food, water, diapers and other necessary toiletries with them to the airport.

What about my pets?
U.S. Government evacuation flights cannot accommodate pets. Some commercial airlines do offer pet transport. Please check with the airlines directly.

Do I have to pay for the flight?
U.S. citizens requesting evacuation are required to sign paperwork promising to reimburse the U.S. Government for flight costs at a later date. Exact flight costs are not yet available, but will be comparable to the cost of a one-way commercial flight from Egypt to the safe haven location on the same date.
The Department of State will contact evacuees with reimbursement instructions, including the possibility of a repayment schedule.

How do I get to the airport?
At this time, public transport to include taxis is still operating in Egypt.

http://egypt.usembassy.gov/pa020411.html

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