Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel should be allowed to 

Montserrat.

 

Crime

 

Crime levels are low, but you should take the same sensible precautions as you would at home. If your hotel does not have a safe, you may need to keep valuables with you.

 

Air travel

 

There are two companies offering flights from Antigua’s VC Bird International Airport to the John A. Osborne Airport in Montserrat: FLY MONTSERRAT and SVG Air (local operator known as ABM Air). Between them they offer five flights per day in each direction on 9-seater aircraft. Baggage space is limited. Oversized bags can’t be carried due to the small baggage hold.

 

Road travel

 

Minibuses are available along a number of routes in Montserrat (minimum fare EC$3), but with no regular schedules. Taxi drivers can be booked throughout the day and night.

 

To drive in Montserrat, you will need to get a temporary visitor’s driving licence from any police station on production of a valid driving licence and payment of a fee of EC$50. The temporary licence is valid for three months. Driving is on the left, as in the UK. There is a speed limit of 20 mph due to multiple hairpin bends. Do not drink and drive.

 

Sea travel

 

A ferry service runs between Port Little Bay in Montserrat and the Bryson’s Pier, Heritage Quay in Antigua five days a week.

 

Political situation

 

The last general elections were held on 11 September 2014. The People’s Democratic Movement won 7 out of 9 seats in the Legislative Council and formed a Government.

 

Local laws and customs

Montserrat is a separate legal jurisdiction to the United Kingdom and has its own laws.

 

There are harsh penalties if you are caught with drugs of any kind. You should observe the customs regulations on the importation and exportation of agricultural products and the protection of marine and animal life. There are a number of marine and animal specimens that may not be taken from the island. If in doubt check with the local customs authorities prior to the purchase, importation or exportation of such items.

 

Homosexuality is legal under Montserrat law, but there’s no provision for marriage or civil partnerships between same sex couples, and they aren’t recognised in law. Throughout the island, the general public is very conservative. In general people aren’t tolerant of homosexual couples and don’t approve of public displays of affection between same sex couples. Hotels don’t discriminate against same sex couples and are generally welcoming to all, regardless of sexual orientation.

 

Beach wear (ie swimwear) isn’t acceptable away from beach areas.

 

Money

 

Few shops, hotels or restaurants accept credit cards. The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. It is fixed to the US dollar at 2.68 Eastern Caribbean Dollars to 1 US Dollar. This equates roughly to £1 = EC$4. US Dollars are widely accepted. The territory has limited but modern banking facilities.

 

Health

Cases of Chikungunya virus have been confirmed in Montserrat and the number of reported cases in the region is increasing. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. For more details about this outbreak, see the website of the National Health Network and Centre..

 

Montserrat has a small hospital with limited facilities. Anyone needing specialist medical treatment may need to travel to a neighbouring island. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

Dental care for visitors is by private practice, which is only available in the evenings, and at weekends.

 

If you suffer from asthma or other respiratory problems you could be affected by airborne dust, volcanic ash and gases.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 911 or 999 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

  

Entry requirements

 

Visas

 

You don’t need a visa for Montserrat if you are either a British citizen passport holder or a British Overseas Territories citizen passport holder. For other nationalities there is an on-line visa application service.

 

Passport validity

 

You must hold a valid passport to enter Montserrat. Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.

 

Embarkation tax

 

When you leave Montserrat you will be charged an embarkation tax of EC$25 for residents or EC$45 for non-residents. In addition, there is a security charge of EC$10 for every passenger departing from John A Osborne Airport and at the ferry port, payable at check-in.

 

Yellow fever

 

Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

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Volcanoes

 

The Soufriere Hills Volcano has been active since 1995. An area around the volcano, containing about two-thirds of the island, is vulnerable to volcanic hazard and is a no-go area. In addition there are three areas around the coastline which are designated Maritime Exclusion Zones where no shipping should enter. Seek local advice about safety precautions and access restrictions.

 

A new Hazard Level System was introduced on 1 August 2014. The southern part of the island is divided into five zones A, B, C, F and V and two maritime zones E and W. Access permission to enter any of these zones depends on the level of volcanic activity. The current Hazard Level is Level 1 on a scale of 0 to 5 where 5 is the highest. At Level 1 there is 24 hour unlimited access to Zones A, B, C and F by vehicles, and controlled access only with permission to Zone V. The maritime zones E and W can only be transited by shipping during daylight hours, and no anchorage is possible in these zones at Level 1.

 

Around 40% of the island is unaffected by volcanic activity but these areas may be prone to ash falls and volcanic gases during any volcanic activity and if the wind is blowing from south to north. These sometimes cause cancellation of flights to and from the island. The volcanic situation is monitored 24/7 by the Montserrat Volcano Observatory staff and the situation remains under constant review.

 

An island-wide siren system is installed to warn of volcanic activity. The sirens are tested daily at 12:00 midday. If the sirens sound outside this, tune to Radio Montserrat (ZJB) immediately on FM 88.3 or 95.5 for an accompanying message. The radio station also provides regular scientific updates and advice to listeners. Brochures outlining the Hazard Level System are available at ports of entry to the island.

 

Maritime Exclusion Zone

 

There are three areas around Montserrat’s coastlines designated as Maritime Exclusion Zones. Shipping should not enter these zones. The largest of these extends for 4km on the eastern side of the island and there are two on the western side of the island. The most southerly of the two extends for 2km off shore and the third for a half kilometre off shore. Maps showing these zones along with their GPS co-ordinates are available to mariners at the Montserrat Port Authority at Port Little Bay.

 

Hurricanes

 

The hurricane season in the Caribbean officially runs from 1 June to 30 November, though very stormy weather can occur outside this period. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Centre.