Europe

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

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) - Swine Flu in Slovakia (source:  The Slovak Ministry of Health). You can check for updates on the situation in Slovakia through the Office of Public Health of the Slovak Republic at www.uvzsr.sk, or by calling the Ministry of Health Helpline on (421) (2) 5937 3122 (Slovak only).  The Slovak Ministry of Health has advised that unless the patient's situation is severe enough to require hospitalisation, they will be required to remain in home quarantine for a period of 7-10 days. Patients with flu symptoms are being told to get in touch with their GP by telephone. There is currently no exit/entry screening in place at airports, nor are there any plans to introduce this in the near future. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. 
  
  
• The Slovak Government has adopted additional flu prevention measures to reflect the flu outbreak in neighbouring Ukraine. These include the closing of two border-crossings for pedestrians in Velka Slemence and Ubla and the introduction of selective medical checks of passengers arriving from Ukraine through other border crossings along the Slovak-Ukrainian border. A quarantine centre has also been opened at the Cierna nad Tisou border crossing.
  
  
• The WHO website at: www.who.int/ has further details.  You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. Check Swine Flu for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You must carry your passport with you at all times for identification purposes.  It is also advisable to carry a photocopy of your passport, even if you are travelling as part of a group.
  
  
• Before travelling to Slovakia you should ensure that your passport is in a presentable state.  The Slovak authorities can refuse entry if your passport is worn or damaged, or looks as if it has been tampered with.
  
  
• Most visits to Slovakia are trouble-free.  13 British nationals required consular assistance in Sovakia in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (4 cases); hospitalisations (4 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (1 case). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (47 cases).  If you need to contact the emergency services in Slovakia call 112.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  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.