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Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_cricketworldcup.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Jan 26 2007 03:30:21 GMT-0800.

CRICKET WORLD CUP

January 12, 2007

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert American citizens about the Cricket World Cup sporting tournament taking place at several Caribbean locations from March 5 – April 28, 2007. The global popularity of cricket is expected to attract fans to the Caribbean. Americans planning travel to the Caribbean during this timeframe are strongly advised to be aware of tournament dates and locations, and take appropriate measures to safeguard their personal safety and property. All American citizens traveling to and from the Caribbean by air must be in possession of a valid, unexpired passport.

Cricket World Cup matches are scheduled in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Increased demands on services in countries hosting the Cricket World Cup may strain the availability of taxis, emergency medical response, and other public services. The busy tourist season, already under way during the March – April period, will be affected by the the Cricket World Cup. U.S. citizens should take this into consideration in planning travel to the Caribbean islands. More information about the tournament, including match dates and locations, can be viewed at http://www.cricketworldcup.com.

The U.S. Government remains concerned about the heightened threat of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. Any large-scale public events like the Cricket World Cup, therefore, could be the focus of terrorist acts or other forms of violence. U.S. citizens planning to attend matches or participate in other large-scale public gatherings during the Cricket World Cup are advised to use caution and stay alert to their surroundings at all times. Even gatherings intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.

U.S. citizens are advised to research entry requirements to Caribbean locations when planning a trip. All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the U.S and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document for entry into the United States. People traveling by sea are strongly encouraged to obtain a passport for travel, but will not be required to have one for return from most Caribbean countries until January 1, 2008, at the earliest. To learn more about country-specific entry requirements, please visit http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html .

In order to ensure adequate processing time for new or renewed passports prior to travel, U.S. citizens are reminded to apply for their passports at least 4-6 weeks before departure. More information about how to apply for or renew a passport can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html .

U.S. citizens are also advised that due to higher than normal tourist volume in the Caribbean during the March – April timeframe, replacing lost or stolen passports could take up to several days depending on location. Especially in crowded areas, pickpocketing is a possibility. All travelers are urged to protect valuable personal items at all times, including passports, credit cards, jewelry and other personal valuables, in order to guard against loss or theft.

The Department of State urges Americans traveling overseas to ensure they have adequate medical insurance, including insurance for medical evacuations. Medicare recipients should know that Medicare does not cover medical expenses abroad. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise personal safety at all times and to travel with a friends or companions when visiting unfamiliar places. Practicing personal safety measures can effectively reduce the risk of being a victim of violent crime, sexual assault, general assault or extortion. For more information, see the State Department’s flyer Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1185.html ).

U.S. citizens living or traveling to the Caribbean are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate closest to their planned destination through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov . Americans without internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

For additional information on the Cricket World Cup, please consult the Department of State's Cricket World Cup Fact Sheet at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information and general travel information by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States or Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from overseas.