December 14, 1999
Web posted at: 4:29 p.m. EST (2129 GMT)

(CNN) -- The United States Department of State is advising travelers to make backup plans for everything from travel to food and medicine, if they plan to be abroad on New Year's Eve or in the days following.

The Public Announcement issued Tuesday follows a statement released on the weekend. On Saturday, a "worldwide caution" said traveling Americans could be the targets of potential terrorist activity during New Year and Ramadan events into early January.

In contrast to that statement's point, Tuesday's announcement first encourages overseas travelers to make contingency plans in the case of Y2K disruptions to vital services.

"Any disruptions caused by Y2K-related problems may be compounded by large numbers of tourists visiting countries where celebrations are scheduled, placing increased demands on local infrastructure," the statement says.

RESOURCES For the full text of the State Department announcements: Public Announcement: Y2K Worldwide Notice Worldwide Caution: Terrorist Threat - December 11, 1999 U.S. State Department: Y2K Information CNN Special Sections: @2000 Millennium Series Looking at the Y2K Bug Celebrate the Century Related sites and stories     MESSAGE BOARD Y2K bug

The announcement goes on to reiterate concerns about possible terrorist violence: "(T)his period has spiritual significance for, or may be exploited by, a variety of groups, which may cause behavior that is difficult to predict."

The State Department emphasizes that U.S. embassies and consulates will not be able to provide visiting citizens with water, fuel, food, medicine or shelter. It identifies the health-care sector as a particular concern for Americans traveling abroad, and advises travelers with existing medical conditions to carefully weigh their need to go abroad.

• Register with U.S. embassies or consulates abroad.
  
  
• Monitor the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page and the U.S. embassy or consulate home page on the Internet for Y2K updates.
  
  
• Participate in any town meetings or other outreach activities conducted by U.S. embassies and consulates abroad between now and January to discuss Y2K issues.
  
  
• Review your personal preparedness plans in the event of possible Y2K disruptions. For additional ideas about personal preparedness, see the Web sites for FEMA at www.fema.gov/y2k, the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion at http://www.y2k.gov and the American Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/Y2K.html.
  
  
• Ensure that travel documents (passports, visas, etc.) for you and your family are updated. If they're about to expire, apply for new documents as early as possible.
  
  
• U.S. citizens or family members with special medical needs should consult with their personal physicians before making travel plans.
  
  
• Carry travelers' checks as well as credit cards.
  
  
• In the event of disruptions, it may be necessary to be flexible about travel plans. Consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance.
  
  
• Anticipate possible delays in flights overseas. Give yourself plenty of time if your travel itinerary includes connecting flights.
  
  
• See the Department of Transportation Y2K home page at http://www.dot.gov/fly2k for updated information on Y2K and aviation issues.
  
  
• Consult your airline, cruise line, tour operator, hotel and travel agent about contingency plans in the event of unforeseen Y2K-related delays, cancellations or disruptions.
  
  
• Obtain written confirmation of reservations.
  
  
• Make sure your essential possessions -- passports, medications, eyeglasses, emergency telephone numbers and contacts for your place of destination and back home etc. --are in carry-on baggage. Your supply of medications should be sufficient to last for the anticipated duration of travel.

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