Warden Message

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Egypt that several groups have publicly called for demonstrations to be held on Tuesday January 25, 2011. January 25 is Police Day, a national holiday in Egypt, and all schools and government offices and some private businesses will be closed.

In Cairo, the sites announced as possible venues for demonstrations are the neighborhoods of Dokki, Giza, Shoubra and Mattareya, as well as Tahrir Square and the Khan al Khalili market. Some groups have announced plans for demonstrations to be held in Alexandria and other cities, without specifying locations. Large open areas near public buildings are common sites for demonstrations. Local authorities have announced that the planned demonstrations are illegal and that police will take appropriate action to prevent traffic disruptions. While all announcements indicate that peaceful demonstrations are planned, any large gathering has the potential for confrontation and violence.

The Embassy urges Americans to review their personal plans and avoid areas of planned demonstrations. Americans resident in Egypt should monitor local news broadcasts and American visitors should ask tour guides and hotel officials about any planned demonstrations in the locations they plan to visit. In the event that demonstrations take place, Americans should anticipate traffic detours, delays and disruptions, and should plan their routes and travel times accordingly. In addition, the U. S. Embassy reminds U.S. Citizens of the Egyptian Government prohibition on photographing police and security activities which are considered sensitive national security elements.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs website , where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A safe trip abroad", which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

American citizens are advised to maintain valid travel documents and register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy Cairo through the State Department travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. For further information, U.S. citizens may call the Embassy’s American Citizen Services Unit at 2797-2301 during business hours, Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For emergencies after business hours and on weekends and holidays, U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Embassy switchboard on 2797-3300. The Embassy is located at 5 Tawfik Diab Street (formerly known as Latin America Street), Garden City, Cairo.