Middle East and North Africa

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

• Health
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There have been confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) – Swine Flu in Qatar (source: Qatar Ministry of Health).  Screening of passengers, including those in transit, is being undertaken at Doha International Airport. Travellers with flu-like symptoms are assessed at the airport and may be transferred to a nearby hospital for any appropriate treatment required.
  
  
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. 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 in Qatar.  Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places. You should avoid large gatherings and demonstrations.
  
  
• Around 40,000 British tourists visit Qatar every year (Source: Qatar Immigration Department). 38 British nationals required consular assistance in Qatar in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (14 cases); hospitalisations (8 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (12 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (25 cases).
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.   See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.