Unless otherwise indicated in a public announcement, the US Embassy is open for all routine American

Based on an assessment of the security situation in Egypt, the Department of State lifted the ordered departure status for US Embassy orlando hotels international drive personnel on November 6, 2013. The State Department lifted ordered departure status for US Consulate General Alexandria on December 16, 2013. However, Consulate General personnel are based out of the US Embassy in Cairo while required facility security upgrades are made.
Political unrest, which intensified after the July 2013 change of government, is likely to continue in the near future. Demonstrations have on numerous occasions resulted in violent clashes between security forces and protesters and between orlando hotels international drive protesters supporting rival factions, some of which have resulted in deaths and injuries to those involved and in property damage. Participants have generally thrown rocks, and Molotov cocktails, with security forces responding with tear gas. However, police on occasion have used live ammunition as a crowd control measure and in response to live ammunition used by demonstrators against police. Most violent protests have occurred in major metropolitan areas, including Cairo and its suburbs, Alexandria, and Port Said. Gender-based violence in and around protest areas, where women have been the targets of sexual assault, poses an ongoing concern. orlando hotels international drive There has been a recent and notable increase in the use of explosive devices to target police or other government institutions or individuals, which have resulted in casualties and damage to infrastructure. Additionally, police officers have frequently been the targets of drive-by shootings that endanger bystanders as well.
The security situation in North Sinai, including the major east-west coastal highway and the towns of El Arish, Shaykh Zuwayd, El Gorah and Rafah, has been marked by ongoing violent attacks on Egyptian orlando hotels international drive security personnel and by continuing orlando hotels international drive and frequently intense security operations against the sources of violence. orlando hotels international drive The US Department of State strongly urges US citizens to avoid travel to North Sinai.
orlando hotels international drive The security situation in most tourist centers, including Luxor, Aswan, the Luxor-Aswan Nile cruise orlando hotels international drive routes, and Red Sea/Southern Sinai resorts such as Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh remains calm. However, on February 16, a bomb was detonated on a tourist bus, killing four people in Taba, a Sinai resort near the Israeli border. US citizens should remain alert to local security developments.
The US Department of State strongly urges US citizens to avoid all demonstrations in Egypt, as even peaceful ones can quickly become violent, and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse. On June 28, 2013, a US citizen was killed during a demonstration in Alexandria. US citizens have also been arrested and deported for proximity to demonstrations and for taking pictures of demonstrations, police and military. Foreign journalists, credentialed or not, have also been increasingly targeted by both security orlando hotels international drive forces and Egyptian citizens while attempting to cover demonstrations or gain access to restricted orlando hotels international drive areas. Several have been detained for prolonged periods as a result of their activities, and others have been subjected to verbal orlando hotels international drive or physical assault by citizens suspicious about the reason for their presence.
Because of the proximity of the US Embassy to Tahrir Square and other demonstration locations in Cairo, the US Embassy has sometimes been closed to the public on short notice due to violent protests. The Embassy will notify US citizens as quickly as possible of any closing and the types of emergency consular services that will be available. Should security forces block off the area around orlando hotels international drive the US Embassy during demonstrations, orlando hotels international drive US citizens should contact the American Citizens Services orlando hotels international drive section before attempting to come to the US Embassy during that time. US citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to carry identification and, if moving about alone, a cell phone or other means of communication that functions in Egypt.
The US Embassy restricts its employees and their family members from traveling to specific areas listed in the Country Specific Information Sheet , and advises all US citizens to do the same. Depending on the current security situation, the US Embassy may also restrict the movements of its employees and their families within Cairo itself. We continue orlando hotels international drive to urge US citizens to stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Please check our Country Specific Information Sheet for further security guidance. orlando hotels international drive Remain alert to local security developments and be vigilant regarding your personal security; know the locations orlando hotels international drive of police and fire stations, hospitals, and the US Embassy.
Unless otherwise indicated in a public announcement, the US Embassy is open for all routine American Citizens Services by appointment. US citizens orlando hotels international drive needing emergency assistance do not need an appointment. Visit the Embassy website to check the latest changes to Embassy hours or services. US citizens with routine orlando hotels international drive phone inquiries may call the Embassy's American Citizens Services section at 2797-2301, Sunday to Thursday from 0900 hours through 1600 hours. For emergencies after business hours and on weekends and holidays, US citizens can contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Embassy orlando hotels international drive switchboard on 2797-3300. The US Embassy is closed on US federal holidays. US citizens in Egypt are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . By enrolling, US citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
For the latest security information, US citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Internet website where the Worldwide Caution , Country Specific Information for Egypt , Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling orlando hotels international drive 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 0800 hours through 2000 hours, EST, Monday through Friday (except US federal holidays).
The US Embassy in Egypt is located at 5 Tawfik Diab Street (formerly known as Latin America Street), Garden City, Cairo. For emergencies after business hours and on weekends and holidays, US citizens can contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Embassy switchboard on 2797-3300.
I retired from the US State Department in April 2006, after a career as a special agent, orlando hotels international drive RSO, director of training, chief investigator of the Cyprus Missing orlando hotels international drive Persons Program, director of security of the U.S. Agency for International orlando hotels international drive Development (USAID) and as a senior adviser in the Office of Anti-Terrorism Assistance.