Preparing for the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi

The Commonwealth Games 2010 will be taking place in New Delhi, India from 3-14 October. If you are heading over to New Delhi to watch the games, make sure you plan thoroughly for your trip.

The Foreign Office has comprehensive guidance on their website about travelling to India and how to prepare for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

To travel to India, your passport needs to be valid for six months when you travel. Take a photocopy of your passport with you to refer to in case you lose the original. You'll also need a visa for India prior to travel, which can be obtained from VFS. Depending on where you apply for your visa in the UK, it will take 2-7 working days for your visa to be processed.

Before you travel, make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Anti-malarial tablets are also recommended when travelling to New Delhi. As well as malaria, there is a risk of catching dengue fever through mosquito bites, so make sure you cover up and apply insect repellent that contains DEET at dawn and dusk.

It's advisable to drink bottled water in New Delhi to avoid catching water-borne diseases through tap water. Rabies is a problem in India, so avoid contact with animals. When eating out, make sure your food is piping hot. You could be at risk of catching traveller's diarrhoea if you don't eat and drink sensibly.

In October it can get pretty hot in New Delhi, so make sure you drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen throughout the day. Avoid drinking too much alcohol - it can lead to dehydration in hot climates. Take a sunhat to protect your face during long hours in the sun while you watch the games.

The opening and closing ceremonies for the Commonwealth Games 2010, and the athletics, lawn bowls and weightlifting, will be taking place in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Meanwhile, archery, cycling, gymnastics and wrestling will be held in the Indira Gandhi Arena

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