Voluntary evacuation of US citizens in Egypt

WASHINGTON, DC – The US Department of State announced today that arrangements are being made to provide transportation out of Egypt for US citizens and their immediate relatives, beginning today, Monday, January 31. This is not a mandatory evacuation.

Flights will head to safehaven locations in Europe. Once in Europe, travelers will be expected to make their own onward travel plans. Please read the following information thoroughly on how best to assist US citizens and their immediate relatives looking to leave Egypt.

Persons interested in departing Egypt via USG-chartered transportation should contact the US Department of State and Embassy Cairo by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling 1-202-501-4444 with the requested information.

Due to the inaccessibility of the Internet and email in Egypt, representatives of US citizens can also submit the information on behalf of the traveler(s). Information required for all travelers is as follows:

– Name
– Age
– Place of birth
– Passport Number
– Description of any medical needs
– Contact information

Please note that at the time of release, the USG-charted flights’ specific times for leaving Cairo had not been specified. It is expected that the traveler will be contacted by the State Department with the additional detailed information.

Immediate family members (spouses and children) who are not US citizens must be documented for entry into the safehaven country and/or US, if that is the traveler’s final destination.

Only one (1) piece of luggage per traveler.

This assistance will be provided on a reimbursable basis, as required by US law.

The following travel advisory with general information is provided when calling the US Department of State:

The US Department of State recommends that US citizens avoid travel to Egypt due to ongoing political and social unrest. On January 30, 2011, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of dependents and nonemergency employees.

Violent demonstrations have occurred in several areas of Cairo, Alexandria, and other parts of the country, disrupting road travel between city centers and airports. Disruptions in communications, including Internet service, may occur.

The government of Egypt has imposed a curfew from 3:00 pm until 8:00 am in Cairo, Alexandria, and Suez until further notice, and US citizens should obey curfew orders and remain indoors during curfew hours.

US citizens currently in Egypt should consider leaving as soon as they can safely do so.

Cairo airport is open and operating, but flights may be disrupted, and transport to the airport may be disrupted due to the protests. Travelers should remain in contact with their airlines or tour operators concerning flight schedules and arrange to arrive at the airport well before curfew hours.

US citizens should carry identification and a cell phone, which works in Egypt. In the event of demonstrations, US citizens in Egypt should remain in their residences or hotels until the situation stabilizes. Security forces may block off the area around the US Embassy during demonstrations, and US citizens should not attempt to come to the US Embassy or the Tahrir Square area at such times.

The US Embassy is open for emergency services for US citizens only until further notice. US citizens in Egypt who require assistance or who wish to leave, or those who are concerned that their US citizen loved ones in Egypt may required assistance, should contact the US Department of State via [email protected] [or by calling 1-202-501-4444.]