Middle East and North Africa

• 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 Tunisia (source: Tunisian Public Health Ministry). Since 1 May 2009, the Tunisian authorities have been screening all arrivals at Tunisian airports using temperature-seeking cameras. You should monitor local media reports and the British Embassy in Tunisia website (http://ukintunisia.fco.gov.uk/en) for any further developments and advice. 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 and the Health section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is a general threat from terrorism in Tunisia.  Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by British expatriates and foreign travellers.  See the Terrorism section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• You are advised to use and be accompanied by a reputable tour operator or an approved local guide if you plan travel in the southern border areas with Algeria. Tourists have to obtain permission from the Tunisian authorities to enter certain desert areas bordering Algeria and southern military zones. Given the threat of kidnap in the southern border regions you should follow the advice of the Tunisian authorities on travel in these regions. See Travel Advice: Algeria for more details.
  
  
• Most visits are trouble-free. 40 British nationals required consular assistance in Tunisia in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (14 cases); hospitalisations (12 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (5 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (25 cases). You should watch out for petty criminals such as pickpockets, and bag snatchers, particularly in crowded market places.
  
  
• 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.