News
29 November 2006 Printable (PDF) version
International Cricket Council World Cup 2007
The International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup will take place during March and April 2007 in the Caribbean. The participating teams will be based in different Caribbean countries with matches scheduled to be played in Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Thousands of British cricket fans are expected to travel to the World Cup to support their teams. Detailed information about travel requirements and safety can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-oversea
Advice for travellers
Travel insurance
Travellers should apply for a European Travel Health Insurance Card (EHIC) prior to their trip and carry this with them. Medical facilities on many Caribbean islands are limited, and evacuation to the UK, the USA or to the French territories of Martinique or Guadeloupe may be necessary. Travellers in possession of an EHIC issued in the UK or France may be entitled to emergency healthcare in Martinique or Guadeloupe under the state system. Payment must be made for the care, but up to 70% of the costs may be reclaimed on return to the UK.
An EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance; therefore a comprehensive travel insurance policy should also be taken out.
Vaccinations
Cricket fans planning to visit the Caribbean for the tournament are advised to discuss their travel plans with their practice nurse or travel clinic. This should be done at least six weeks prior to departure to ensure adequate time to receive all necessary vaccinations.
Travellers should note that the British team qualifying matches are scheduled to take place in Guyana, South America. There is a risk of yellow fever in Guyana and a yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required if the traveller returns to certain destinations in the Caribbean. Travellers who visit Guyana should therefore receive yellow fever vaccination and carry their certificate with them in their hand luggage. Travellers should also take insect bite avoidance measures.
Qualifying matches are also scheduled to take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Travellers visiting Port of Spain only will not be at risk of yellow fever. However, there is a risk in the interior rural areas of the island. A yellow fever vaccination certificate may also be required when travelling from Trinidad to other Caribbean islands. Travellers should discuss the need for yellow fever vaccination with their practice nurse or travel clinic.
Designated yellow fever vaccination centres can be located from the NaTHNaC database at: http://www.NaTHNaC.org/yellowfevercentres.aspx?comingfrom
Safety and security
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) travel safety campaign ‘Know Before You Go’ encourages travellers to be better prepared for their overseas trips. It provides advice on safety and security issues and can be accessed from the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk/travel.
Other health advice
Travellers are advised to practice food and water hygiene precautions.
Malaria is not usually a risk in the countries hosting the ICC World Cup. Although overnight stays in Guyana may pose a malaria risk, coastal areas including Georgetown, the location of the stadium, are not normally a risk. All islands are endemic for dengue fever. Travellers are therefore advised to take insect bite avoidance measures during their stay.
Adequate sun protection is strongly recommended. Travellers are advised to regularly re-apply a high protection sun lotion and cover up with a hat, sunglasses and t-shirt.
There is a high prevalence of HIV in the Caribbean. Travellers are advised to avoid casual sexual relationships or use condoms. Other high risk activities include tattooing and body piercing; avoiding these will also reduce the risk of other blood-borne viruses including hepatitis B and C.
Further information
International Cricket Council
ICC World Cup
http://www.cricketworldcup.com/default.aspx
Barmy Army
FCO ICC World Cup travel advice http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-oversea
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