By Emily Miller
With only 41 days until the opening ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State have both provided a list of travel safety tips.
The XXII Winter Olympic Games and XI Paralympic Games will take place in and around Sochi, Russia, from February 7 to February 23, 2014, and March 7 to March 16, 2014.
The information and resources below should be used to help ensure a safe and enjoyable Olympics experience.
Tips before going:
Vaccinations
Before departure, make sure that you are up-to-date on all your routine vaccines, especially the 2013-2014 flu shot. The CDC also recommends getting the Hepatitis A vaccine as you could get it through contaminated food or water, regardless of where you are staying.
Other recommended (not required) vaccines include:
· Hepatitis B
· Japanese Encephalitis
· Rabies
Packing
With the Olympics being in Russia, it is highly advised to check the weather forecast before leaving the US. Even though the climate in Sochi is fairly mild – compared to other Russian cities, temperatures can drop below freezing. On an average day in February, the temperature is typically about 50 F (10 C), but competitions held on snow and ice will be chilly.
Be sure to pack proper waterproof and windproof clothing that will keep you warm in a cold climate.
Health and Travel Insurance
Every US citizen will need to obtain a Russian tourist visa before entering the country. Details on the visa application process can be found here.
Note: To be issued a Russian visa, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your departure date from Russia. The U.S. Department of States strongly recommends that passports should be valid until at least October 16, 2014.
Unfortunately, most domestic plans won’t cover you if you need medical care overseas, which is where supplemental/additional travel health insurance could apply. This will help cover any unexpected emergencies while you’re in Russia.
The U.S. Department of State also recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEPS) before leaving. This will enable the Embassy to keep you up-to-date with important safety and security announcements while abroad. You can also use it to get in touch with family and friends in case of an emergency.
Travelers can register online and manage their account with the mobile app.
Tips while at the Winter Games:
Safety and Security
Criminal activity in Sochi is similar to other cities of comparable size but due to the specific situation crimes such as theft is likely to increase, as unsuspecting tourists can be easy marks.
With this being said, travelers should limit the amount of cash, valuables, credit cards and other important documents while traveling to and from the games. Leave copies of passports, visas, credit cards and insurance information in a secure location in your hotel room and back home with a responsible friend or family member. According to the Department of State, the Russian government is devoting considerable resources to ensure the Sochi Olympics are safe and incident-free.
The Russian U.S. Embassy will also closely monitor the security situation leading up to and during the actual games. And, if a situation were to arise, the Department of State will immediately provide information to the public.
Crowds and Large Events
Large athletic events such as the Olympics can become unsafe after a sports victory or defeat. The CDC recommends establishing a safe meeting place, if you happen to get separated from your group. It is also important to know where all emergency exists are located.
Transportation
The Olympic community has provided express train, which will shuttle passengers between different sites. Once inside the Coastal Cluster, all Olympic venues are within walking distance.
Both the CDC and U.S. Department of State recommend travelers to utilize public transportation as much possible. Traffic is expected to be extremely heavy and traffic jams are likely, due to the large volume of athletes, tourists and journalists. As a precaution, all pedestrians should be careful while crossing the street and at any major intersection as Russian drivers often do not yield to pedestrians.
LGBT Travelers
Due to recent laws passed in Russia in June, gay and lesbian travelers should proceed with extra caution as those found guilty violating the law can face a fine of up to $3,100, up to 17 years in jail, and deportation.
LGBT travelers should review the State Department’s LGBT Travel Information page.
