2018 Easter

Easter Week 2018 starts on Sunday, April 1, 2018 and ends on Saturday, April 7th 2018. 

The UK Government notes terrorists may target religious sites, including churches, and recommends vigilance over the Easter period for Macedonia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Germany,Italy, Kosovo, and France.

Prepare for an emergency as a standard step of all your travels, see recommended actions listed below.  Additionally,  when traveling on behalf of UT Dallas, set up your institutional safety net.  Find more information in the Traveler Best Practices webpage.

Know how to get local alerts, warnings or emergency updates while at your destination

In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. Access diverse information sources.

• Enroll in the U.S. Department of State STEP program if a U.S. Citizen, or to a similar program with your home country embassy at your destination.
• Search in the appropriate Country Information for local sources of alerts and warnings and subscribe to them.
• Learn how your hotel will provide you with alerts, warnings and instructions in case of emergency.
• Learn what local TV or radio stations to follow for information or official instructions as they become available.

Know how to get emergency assistance abroad

Emergencies can happen at any time, determine who you will call first, second, third, etc.

• Obtain insurance that can cover medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and unexpected expenses such as trip interruption or lost luggage.
• Have with you at all times the phone number of your travel insurance provider.
• Search in the appropriate Country Information, and have with you at all times the:
  • Phone number equivalent for 911.
  • U.S. Consulate or Embassy phone number for emergencies.

Know who are your emergency contacts back home

• Determine who you want to be contacted in the event of your illness, injury, etc.
• Determine if all your emergency contacts know what your wishes are in the event of your serious illness, injury, etc.
• Ensure your emergency contacts can get in touch with each other and with key contacts, such as the U.S. embassy at your location.
• Ensure your emergency contacts have your trip and activities itinerary.

Know how to get in touch with your emergency contacts back at home

• Consider getting an international call plan for the time you will be abroad
• Have your emergency contacts phone numbers in your mobile device.
• Determine alternate ways of communicating with your emergency contacts.

The risk information in this report is retrieved from U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and other professional sources as listed in the post. It provides general guidance for UT Dallas travelers. Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources listed for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.