There will be a national referendum on 16 April 2017 in Turkey; There is also a heightened threat of terrorist attacks targeting Coptic Christians in Egypt; Italy will impose border controls on all travellers between 10 and 31 May 2017 to enhance security ahead of the G7 Leaders Summit in Taormina
Turkey
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the United Kingdom advise against all travel to within 10 km of the border with Syria and to the city of Diyarbakir.
The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:
- the remaining areas of Sirnak, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Kilis and Hatay provinces
- the provinces of Siirt, Tunceli and Hakkari
There will be a national referendum on 16 April 2017. Rallies and demonstrations, official and unofficial, may take place at short notice. You should stay well away from any demonstrations.
Egypt
The FCO also advise against all travel to the Governorate of North Sinai due to the significant increase in criminal activity and continued terrorist attacks on police and security forces that have resulted in deaths
The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:
- the Governorate of South Sinai, with the exception of the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier, which includes the airport and the areas of Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq; however, we advise against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el Sheikh;
- the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, excluding the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh
There’s a heightened risk of terrorism against aviation. The UK government has implemented additional security measures, including Egypt. Direct flights continue to depart to the UK from Egypt (except from Sharm el Sheikh). You should co-operate fully with security officials. For more information about how this may affect your flight, including if you’re transiting through Egypt on the way to the UK, read this guidance page and contact your airline or travel company if you have further questions.
There is a heightened threat of terrorist attacks targeting Coptic Christians in Egypt. On 9 April 2017 (Palm Sunday) explosions occurred in Mar Girgis Church in Tanta and St Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria, killing at least 44 people. Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL) claimed responsibility for these attacks. On 9 April 2017, President Sisi announced a 3-month state of emergency.
You should remain vigilant at all times and follow the advice of local security officials, including in and around religious sites and during religious festivals. Take extra care over local holiday weekends, as some terrorist attacks have occurred during these times. You can find a list of local holidays on the website of the British Embassy in Cairo.
Italy
Italy will impose border controls on all travellers between 10 and 31 May 2017 to enhance security ahead of the G7 Leaders Summit in Taormina. Expect delays and allow extra time to transit passport control at airports, seaports and border crossings. You should contact your travel provider for more information.
Mount Etna has been erupting with increasing frequency. Take care if you’re near any active volcano and follow local advice.
Several strong earthquakes were felt in central Italy on 18 and 19 January 2017 in the regions of Lazio (including Rome), Abruzzo and Marche. In 2016, there were a series of earthquakes in central Italy, including one in August that claimed around 300 lives.
Angelos is the news editor for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). His role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy.
He currently studies Communication, Media & Culture in Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens.
