You must register your stay with the Belarus authorities if you intend to remain in the country for more than three days.

Travellers should register with the local police office in the district in which they are staying.

If you are staying in a hotel this will be arranged by the hotel. If you are not staying in a hotel this must be organised by your host.

Visas are required to enter or travel through Belarus, including on popular train routes such as Warsaw-Moscow and St. Petersburg-Kiev.

Flu epidemics have been declared in Minsk and Gomel. Hospitals have been closed to visitors. This is not connected to outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Russia or elsewhere.

There are strong penalties for possession or use of drugs.

Avoid taking photographs of military or government installations.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State

Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
Embassies and tourist offices
Belintourist (National Tour Operator)

19 Pobediteley Avenue, 220004 Minsk, Belarus
Tel: (17) 203 1143.
www.belintourist.by

Embassy of Belarus in the UK

6 Kensington Court, London W8 5DL, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 3288 or 7938 3677 (visa section).
www.belembassy.org/uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800; 0900-1230 (visa section).

Embassy of Belarus in the USA

1619 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 986 1604 or 1606 (consular section).
www.belarusembassy.org