UK holidaymakers are being urged to follow guidance before jetting off abroad
Brits are urged to do one thing before going on holiday abroad(Image: Getty)
Brits planning foreign holidays are being advised to follow important guidance before departure. According to experts, the advice applies to “all” travellers.
In information published on the Travel Health Pro website, holidaymakers were urged to thoroughly investigate their destinations prior to travel. This encompasses reviewing Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice concerning your intended country.
Following this guidance, which covers potential health and security issues, will assist you to “stay safe”. Travel Health Pro stated: “Most travellers have a safe, enjoyable trip without any problems, but basic precautions should be taken to help maintain personal safety.
“The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) recommend all travellers from the United Kingdom (UK) prepare well and research their destinations before they go.” It added: “FCDO travel advice provides country-specific safety and security advice, along with information about local laws and customs.
“Researching destinations before departure (ideally before booking a trip) and following FCDO advice helps you stay safe.” When the FCDO considers the travel risk to be “unacceptably high”, they will officially advise British nationals against “all but essential travel” or “all travel” to a particular country or region.
This information is available by searching for a particular country through the FCDO country page. Furthermore, travellers can sign up to receive FCDO email notifications about specific countries via a link on the FCDO country page for their selected destination.
It’s essential to understand that travelling against FCDO advice could invalidate your travel insurance. Travel Health Pro has also offered the following A-Z of general guidance for those venturing overseas.
Alcohol
It continued: “Some accidents and injuries can be prevented by careful behaviour. Alcohol may be a factor, as it can affect judgment and lower inhibitions. Ideally, if you drink alcohol, only do so in moderation.”
Further to this, you should not drink alcohol in countries where it is prohibited.
Dress and behave appropriately
Avoid obvious displays of wealth, dress suitably and behave appropriately, it said. “For example, public displays of affection are unacceptable in some regions and alcohol is banned in certain countries,” the website said.
Drugs
Possessing or smuggling illegal drugs, even in tiny amounts, are serious crimes in many countries. This includes cannabis.
Travel Health Pro said: “UK residents caught carrying illegal drugs while visiting or passing through a country will face that country’s laws. These can be much stricter than UK laws, as some countries have a zero-tolerance policy to drug offences.
“Punishment could include arrest and detention, with a long prison sentence if charged and convicted. Many international airports, train stations and ports have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items, which may be used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.”
LGBTQ+ travellers
It added: “FCDO advise that attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) travellers worldwide can be very different to those in the UK. They advise LGBT+ travellers to find out about local laws and social attitudes towards same-sex relationships, gender expression and identity before you visit a country.”
To check specific advice on your destination, visit the FCDO country pages here.
Take care
It encouraged people to “take care” with important documents, insurance details, contact numbers and belongings.
