Are you putting yourself at risk? (From Asian Image)

Are you putting yourself at risk?

4:16pm Monday 1st January 2007 in News features By Asian Image reporter

Many British Asians travelling to the Asian sub-continent could be putting themselves at risk according to new research by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

The results of the study show that whilst British Asians take precautions when they are travelling to holiday destinations such as Europe and the USA, it is often not the case when it comes to visiting friends and family in their country of origin.

Many travel without insurance, without having had the right vaccinations or even without ensuring they have the correct re-entry documents.

Lord Triesman, Foreign Office Minister responsible for Consular Affairs, said: "It is important to realise that when travelling abroad, situations can arise that cannot be dealt with as easily as if you were at home. British nationals of Asian origin, visiting their country of origin, should ensure they are fully prepared."

As part of the Know Before You Go Campaign, the Foreign Office is issuing the following advice to British citizens visiting friends and family in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh: 1.Always take out travel insurance Even if you feel at home in your destination accidents can still happen and medical expenses can be extortionate.

It is unlikely you will have free access to good quality medical treatment, and costs can be extremely high if you become ill or injured.

Ensure all documentation is correct Make sure the name on your passport is the same one you give when booking flights and arranging other travel documentation If you have dual nationality, make sure you have a Certificate of Entitlement (to the Right of Abode) in the passport of your other nationality for you and your family Make a photocopy of the relevant pages in your passports (back page of your British passport containing your photograph and details and the Certificate of Entitlement in your other passport) and keep them separately to your passports.

3.Know your nationality status If you are a dual national in the country of your other nationality, Her Majesty's Government can provide you with consular assistance only in exceptional circumstances If you or your father were born in Pakistan, Bangladesh or India, you may be considered a national of that country by the authorities, even if you don't hold a passport of that country.

4. Go to your GP to check whether you or your family need vaccinations Even if you have lived in a country in the past, you may no longer be immune to diseases local to that region Ensure all required vaccinations are up-to-date Check the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk for advice on current inoculations required for the country you are planning to visit.

5. Know the personal import laws It is illegal to bring meat products & pickles, milk, dairy or other animal products (e.g. fish, eggs, honey), chestnuts, potatoes or potato seeds into the UK from any country outside the EU Check www.defra.gov.uk for more information 6. Update yourself on the area you're travelling to The laws, customs, political situation or safe and unsafe areas of a region can change very quickly. Check the Foreign Office website on www.fco.gov.uk/travel and click on Travel Advice By Country' Register via the website for your free email alerts service where you will be sent all the relevant travel advice changes to your favourite destinations.