The advisories are aimed at the citizens of these countries living in or visiting Qatar.
In a statement on its website, the Indian embassy said they were monitoring the situation closely and were in touch with the Qatari authorities to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals in Qatar.
Noting that airlines belonging to the countries that have severed ties with Qatar have reportedly offered refunds for tickets booked on the cancelled flights, the embassy said: “Indian travellers are, therefore, requested to contact their travel providers for advice on modifications to their travel arrangements and also remain alert to further developments.”
“The Qatari authorities have conveyed that they will take all necessary steps to ensure that normal life, including supplies of food items, is not affected,” it continued. “There is nothing happening in the region that suggests any threat to the physical safety and security of residents in Qatar. Please update yourself on the latest news and do not believe in rumours without cross-checking facts.”
The embassy has said it will provide updates on its Twitter handle [@IndEmbDoha] “from time to time” as required.
The contact details of the embassy are as follows: e-mail - [email protected]; telephone number during office hours – 44255777; telephone number after office hours - 55575086; Indian Cultural Centre – 50536234; Indian Community Benevolent Forum - 55512810, 55532367, 55342708; Twitter and Facebook [India in Qatar].
The US embassy has issued a security message for American citizens on its website.
“The US embassy takes this opportunity to remind all US citizens residing in or visiting Qatar to check directly with your travel providers for any potential impact on your personal travel arrangements and remain alert to additional developments. The embassy is monitoring the situation closely and is working with the Government of Qatar to ensure the safety of US citizens in the country,” the advisory said.
US citizens can find further information through the following means: see the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts and Qatar Country Specific Information; enrol in the smart traveller enrolment programme to receive security messages and make it easier to locate them; contact the US embassy in Doha at [email protected], while the after-hours emergency number for US citizens is 4496 6000; check Twitter and Facebook; among others.
Meanwhile, British citizens have been given travel advice on Qatar by their government, focusing on the latest developments in the region.
“Around 20,000 British nationals live in Qatar, and approximately 40,000 visit annually. Most visits are trouble-free,” a statement posted on the gov.uk website said, noting that the severing of diplomatic ties by some countries and closure of borders are likely to lead to some disruption for travellers in the region. “You should check with your airline before you travel. Direct flights to and from the UK aren’t affected,” it continued.
The statement also said restrictions on entry to the UAE have been placed on certain holders of Qatari Residence Permits. “These restrictions don’t apply to British nationals,” it clarified. UK citizens who are abroad and need emergency help from the government can contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
As reported in Gulf Times, Philippine ambassador Alan Timbayan said in a statement that the “embassy continues to monitor developments in the region and calls on Filipinos to remain calm as there is no immediate reason to be concerned about the safety and security of Filipinos in Qatar.”
Travel
The embassies of some countries in Doha have issued advisories for their citizens in view of the ongoing diplomatic row.
