Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.  See the Health section of this advice for screening procedures.
  
  
• Very few British nationals visit Uzbekistan each year.  Most visits are trouble-free.  All visitors, even short-term ones, should register with the British Embassy on arrival. Three British nationals required consular assistance in Uzbekistan in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (2 cases); hospitalisations (1 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (0 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (0 cases).
  
  
• We advise against all but essential travel to areas bordering Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan other than via authorised crossing points. We also advise against all but essential travel to the Andizhan region of the Fergana Valley in eastern Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan's borders are potential flashpoints and there is a risk that there may be land mines in uncontrolled border areas.
  
  
• There is a general threat from terrorism in Uzbekistan.  Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Visitors should be aware that terrorist incidents have occurred in Uzbekistan. Most recently, in May 2009, armed attacks took place in the Andizhan region of the Fergana Valley in eastern Uzbekistan.  See the Terrorism Section of this travel advice for more details.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Uzbekistan. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.