State Department Issues Egypt Travel Alert Amid Protests

As anti-government protests in Egypt turned violent the State Department issued a travel alert Friday. The alert urged Americans to avoid travel to Cairo and other cities in Egypt.

“Violent demonstrations on January 28 took place in several areas of Cairo and other parts of the country, disrupting road travel between city centers and airports.  Disruptions in communications included the interruption of internet and mobile telephone service.  The Government of Egypt has imposed a curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez until further notice.  Given this situation, the Department of State urges U.S. citizens to defer non-essential travel to Egypt at this time and advises U.S. citizens currently in Egypt to defer non-essential movement and to exercise caution. This Travel Alert expires on February 28, 2011,” the State Department said in a statement posted online.

The department also urged Americans already in Egypt to “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 department said.

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