Health, fitness and safety advice for travel to Libya

No matter the destination, tourists always face slightly greater risks than locals.

Often this is due to obvious issues such as not understanding the culture or language, which means it’s difficult to stay on top of the situation if things get out of hand.

However, when the travel destination is a country experiencing political unrest, the situation suddenly becomes more dangerous.

Libya is a prime example, and while it may not be one of the famous holiday destinations, some people still travel there for business or to experience some alternative culture.

So if you are one of the few people traveling to Libya, here is some basic health information. healthy and safe travel advice to keep you safe during your stay.

Road Trip

While most visitors tend to stay in hotels, if you are part of a group that chooses to use the country’s road system, do so at your own risk.

The roads themselves are actually in pretty good condition, but it goes without saying that this is not a major risk when driving in Libya.

Instead, people must be wary of other reckless drivers, and it goes without saying that normal precautions involving seat belts should always be followed.

The biggest risk of driving on the roads, though, is violence. Since the country is in a state of some unrest, off-road driving is not advisable at any time. Make sure you always stay in an area with a large number of other vehicles, and don’t be persuaded to take any shortcuts – the danger is too great.

Air travel

Unfortunately, it is not only the roads that are dangerous. Airports have been closed several times, such as in Benghazi, one of the country’s main cities, which has been closed since May 2014 due to violent clashes between groups.

Besides the possibility of closures at any time, you also have to be aware that flight schedules change regularly for all of the reasons listed above.

So always check that your flight is operating as expected.

crime

The situation in Libya also means that the crime rate is much higher than you would expect in your home country. Unfortunately, we are not talking about petty crimes either, muggings, carjackings and robberies are common. Moreover, due to the lack of police on the streets, these cases can happen anywhere.

Visitors should be aware that they are subject to the same risks as anyone else travelling to Libya. For example, a British diplomatic convoy was subject to car hijackings in the summer of 2014. Again, it all comes down to proper planning and ensuring that every effort is made to minimise the risks of travelling.

terrorism

Likewise, terrorism is rampant in the country and visitors must exercise caution. It is especially dangerous for Westerners here, not necessarily because of the situation in Libya, but because of the influence of individuals from Iraq and Syria.

There have been several terrorist incidents over the past year, so you should remain vigilant. Also, try not to venture too close to border areas, as terrorist attacks are more common in these areas.

Health and Immunity

It goes without saying that all of the above issues are particularly important when traveling to Libya, but health issues should not be forgotten either.

As in all countries, certain diseases are present in Libya and anyone travelling to Libya should take all necessary vaccinations to protect themselves. This should include the following:

• You should make sure that all your major immunisations and boosters are up to date. Your doctor’s office will keep your vaccination history and you should check with your doctor to make sure this is the case.
• You should also get the Hepatitis A vaccine. This disease is often spread through contaminated food and water or from person to person. Therefore, considering that you are visiting a country that uses alternative hygiene practices, this vaccine is highly recommended.
• If you are coming from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, you must obtain a yellow fever vaccination certificate before being allowed to enter Libya.

In addition to the core information above, some travelers may wish to obtain Additional vaccines Take further steps to protect yourself. These include:

• Diphtheria: This is a disease that spreads through respiratory droplets. If you are in a bad environment with locals then you are at greatest risk, but if you spend most of your time in clean environments, or stay in a hotel then you will be safe.
• Hepatitis B: This is a disease that is spread through infected blood products; usually involving sexual intercourse or contaminated needles. Suffice it to say, it is recommended to avoid any of the above. This may mean carrying a medical kit with sterile needles.
• Rabies: Again, if you stay in a hotel most of the time, this shouldn’t be a problem. Rabies is spread through the saliva of infected animals.
• Tetanus: Spread through cuts and burns that come into contact with tetanus spores.
• Typhoid fever: It is spread in a similar way to hepatitis A, through contaminated food and drink.

Emergency Contact Number

The international dial code for Libya is +218. The country’s emergency numbers are:

• 193 – Police
• 190 – Fire
• 191 – Ambulance

travel insurance

To sum up, travel insurance is an absolute necessity when traveling to Libya.

If you do need medical care while you’re in the hospital, most hospitals will ask you to provide some form of documentation proving that you can afford the treatment.