Belarus Facts

• Conventional long form: Republic of Belarus
• Conventional short form: Belarus
• Local long form: Respublika Byelarus'
• Local short form: none
• Former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic

Belarusian Medical Facilities
Western Medical care in Belarus is limited. There is a severe shortage of basic medical supplies, including anesthetics, vaccines and antibiotics. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities.

Other Health Information
The Embassy recommends against drinking the local water even in larger cities. It is recommended visitors instead drink only bottled or filtered water. While the effects of radiation from the Chernobyl disaster have diminished, it is inadvisable to eat any food grown in the contaminated areas near Chernobyl, and the Embassy cautions against eating any mushrooms or berries. Consumption of Belarusian milk is best avoided as well.

Traveling to Belarus Without Proper Visa
 New Zealanders attempting to transit Belarus without a valid Belarusian transit visa have been denied entry into the country and forcibly removed from trains. There have also been numerous situations involving New Zealanders travelling through Belarus by train without transit visas who have been required to disembark while in transit. In some instances local border and train authorities have threatened passengers with jail or demanded fines when it was learned that they did not possess a valid transit visa. In some cases, New Zealanders have been subjected to rude and threatening treatment including body and baggage searches. New Zealanders are advised not to pay any border or train officials for transit visas as these officials are not authorized to issue such visas. Nor should New Zealanders pay “transit visa fines.” New Zealanders finding themselves in Belarus without transit visas should, if confronted by border or train personnel, demand to be put in contact with consular officials at the nearest New Zealand embassy.

Be Aware (Special Circumstances)
Traveller's cheques are not widely accepted in Belarus. Most hotels accept either American Express or Visa credit cards. In addition, one hotel in Minsk, The Planeta, provides cash from Visa credit cards during business hours. Travelers face arrest if they attempt to buy items with currency other than Belarusian rubles. Authorized currency exchange centers are widely available throughout major cities. ATMs are also available for use. Travelers should be aware that there is a high incidence of credit card fraud in Belarus. If you choose to use credit cards, you should regularly check their account status to ensure its integrity.