health & safety travel advice for hajj & umrah and overseas trave

Last Updated: Tuesday 21st September, 2010

Although the advice listed on this page and on our website is for those intending to go on Hajj and Umrah, it is nonetheless relevent for anyone travelling overseas and we encourange all our visitors to read the guidance notes , tips and advice for a hassle free and enjoyable travel.

A successful Hajj requires patience and thought to safeguard your and others' safety. Some 2 million pilgrims visit the Holy sites during the Hajj. Some of the Holy places can be very crowded, particularly at the stoning of the Satans at Mina and the circumambulation of the Kaaba.

The crowds can be particularly daunting for the elderly or frail.Pilgrims can become separated from their family or friends. Make a note of the location of your camp and tent and agree a meeting point with family and friends in case you do become separated.

The performance of Hajj is physically demanding, even if you are fit. Pilgrims need to protect themselves from the sun, dehydration, exhaustion, foot problems, and respiratory and bronchial illnesses.Always make sure you carry enough food and water, an umbrella to protect you from the sun and a spare pair of sandals.

Paying particular attention to personal hygiene and sanitation will help you avoid illness. If you are taking medication you should bring an adequate supply, accompanied by a doctor’s certificate describing the medication. This will help you avoid problems with Customs. Always carry essential medicines with you. The Saudi Government provides adequate and widely available services.

Source: FCO

travel vaccinations

It is compulsory for you to be inoculated with the 'quadrivalent' meningococcal vaccine (ACWY Vac), which protects against four different strains of meningitis.

Consult your GP if you are in any doubt and see the Department of Health website www.dh.gov.uk .

In the Hajj season 2009, due to the global swien flu outbreak, Season flu jabs were made mandaotry and an additional requirment to the ACWY vaccination as such advice should be sought on current requirements as these will vary season to season.

Know Before You Go PARTNERSHIP

As a partner in the Know Before You Go campaign, the CBH are working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to do all that we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Before you go overseas, check out the FCO web site at www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo for essential travel advice and tips, and up-to-date country information and use this checklist to make sure you’ve remembered everything.

The Know Before You Go Travellers' Checklist

Before you go overseas, check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice online at www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or contact the FCO on 020 7008 0232/0233 for essential travel advice and tips, and up to date country advice.

Get adequate travel insurance

make sure it includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover
make sure it provides cover for your whole trip (whether one day or over a year)
make sure it covers you for all activities, including hazardous sports
disclose pre-existing medical conditions
take your policy number and the 24-hour emergency number with you
if you have any doubts about your cover, check with your insurer
Ensure you have a valid passport and the necessary visas
make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months at return date
take a photocopy with you and leave a copy at home
write the full details of your next of kin in your passport
make sure you have valid visas
take another form of ID with you (preferably with a photograph)

Plan to stay healthy

check what vaccinations you need with your GP at least six weeks before you travel
check the advice at www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice or http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
check if your medication is legal in the country you are visiting
pack your medication in your hand luggage
if taking medication with you, also take the prescription and a GP's letter
if travelling within the EEA (European Economic Area)1, get an E111 from the Post Office
OR if you have received a European Health Insurance Card from the Department of Health, this should be taken with you when you travel as it supersedes the E111 form.
check to see if extra health precautions are needed for the country you are visiting (e.g. malaria zones)

Know about where you are going

get a good guide book and look at the FCO country fact sheets
make sure you know about local laws especially relating to alcohol and drugs
make sure you know about local culture especially relating to dress codes
take a phrase book that you can use in emergencies

1 Countries in the EEA (European Economic Area) are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK

Make sure your travel agent is an ABTA member and, if flying, make sure your air ticket or holiday package is ATOL protected.

Plan ahead to avoid trouble

check the FCO up-to-date travel advice and travellers' tips
tell friends and family where you are going
contact family and friends if trouble flares up

Take enough money for your trip

check the validity, expiry dates and cash available on your credit or debit card(s)
make sure you have back-up funds such as travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars
have a return ticket, or enough money to buy one

Leave copies of important information with family and friends

a copy of your passport and details of your next of kin
a copy of your insurance document plus the 24-hour emergency number
a copy of your ticket details
a copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you such as e-mail

Know Before You Go Travellers' Checklist - Summary

10 things to do before you go

1. Check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice online at www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo or call 020 7008 0232/0233

2. Get travel insurance and check that the cover is appropriate.

3. Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find out about local laws and customs

4. Ensure you have a valid passport and necessary visas

5. Check what vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before you go

6. Check to see if you need to take extra health precautions at www.doh.gov.uk/traveladvice or http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

7. Make sure your travel agent is an ABTA member and, if flying, make sure your holiday package is ATOL protected

8. Make copies of your passport, insurance policy plus 24-hour emergency number and ticket details – leave copies with family and friends

9. Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds e.g. travellers cheques, sterling or US dollars

10. Leave a copy of your itinerary and a way of contacting you such as e-mail, with family and friends