world new news

The Nepal Tourism Board has revised trekking procedures. From 1 April, solo trekkers must have a licenced trekking guide and a Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) card before undertaking treks and climbing in the Himalayan region of Nepal. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Nepal due to the impacts of civil unrest and natural disasters.

We've reviewed our advice for New Caledonia. We've lowered the travel advice level. We now advise exercise normal safety precautions. We advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in New Caledonia.

We’ve reviewed our advice for Burundi. We haven’t changed the overall level of our advice, reconsider your need to travel. We now advise do not travel to Cibitoke and Bubzanza provinces. We advise: Reconsider your need to travel to Burundi overall due to the threats of terrorism and political violence. Higher levels apply in some areas.

We've reviewed our advice for Mali. We continue to advise do not travel to Mali. The Canadian Embassy can provide limited emergency consular assistance to Australians (see 'Full Advice > Local contacts'). Terrorist attacks have increased since mid-July 2022 in central and southern Mali, including in Bamako. Terrorists have primarily targeted security forces facilities, resulting in casualties, including civilians. We continue to advise: Do not travel to Mali due to the high risk of terrorist attack and kidnapping.

We've reviewed our advice for the United Kingdom. We haven't changed the level, exercise a high degree of caution. On 28 March, the terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland was raised from 'substantial' to 'severe', meaning an attack is highly likely. You should remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in the UK due to the threat of terrorism.

You're no longer required to show evidence of a COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 (ATK) test to enter Laos (see 'Travel'). We advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in Laos overall. Higher levels apply in some areas.

We've reviewed our advice for Tunisia. We haven't changed the overall level of advice, exercise a high degree of caution. Higher levels apply in some areas. Protests, demonstrations and strikes can occur with little or no warning and may become violent. Strikes may affect essential services including ground and air transport services. Avoid protests and demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Tunisia overall due to the threat of a terrorist attack. Higher levels apply in some areas.

Nation-wide protests and strikes have occurred across Israel. These have disrupted travel, including via Ben Gurion Airport. There may be continuing disruptions. Travellers should confirm arrangements with their airline and monitor local media for updates. Security in the West Bank remains unpredictable and could deteriorate with little or no warning. Tensions are high and violence occurs. Security remains unpredictable. Avoid protests and take care around West Bank checkpoints. Follow advice from authorities and monitor media for the latest updates. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Israel and the Palestinian Territories overall due to civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attack, rocket fire and military confrontation. Higher levels apply in some areas.

We've reviewed our advice for Burkina Faso. We haven't changed the level of advice, do not travel. The Australian High Commission in Accra has very limited capacity to provide consular assistance in West Africa. The security situation continues to be volatile. If you're in Burkina Faso, you should limit movements, avoid large gatherings and demonstrations and monitor the media. Pay attention to your personal safety. Follow directions of local authorities. We continue to advise: Do not travel to Burkina Faso overall due to ongoing civil unrest, high risk of terrorist attacks and kidnapping and banditry. Other levels apply in some areas.

We've reviewed our travel advice for Nicaragua. We haven't changed our level of advice, exercise a high degree of caution. Check with the nearest embassy or consulate of Nicaragua to confirm the latest entry requirements before travel. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Nicaragua due to high levels of violent crime.

The Tanzanian Government has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus in the Bukoba District in Kagera Region. You should take steps to reduce potential exposure to the virus, including practising good hygiene and avoiding high-risk activities. Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks anywhere in Tanzania. Terrorist groups could attack with little or no warning, targeting hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by Westerners. Be alert to your surroundings and pay close attention to your personal security. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative RT-PCR tests results are no longer needed to enter Tanzania. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Tanzania overall due to the risk of serious crime.  Higher levels apply in some areas.

We've reviewed our advice for Turkiye. We haven't changed the level, exercise a high degree of caution. Higher levels apply in some areas. Significant aftershocks continue to occur following the February earthquakes. There's a state of emergency in 10 provinces affected by the earthquakes. There's extensive damage to infrastructure and services in these provinces. Expect limited food and accommodation options in affected areas. Some areas may still have entry restrictions and roadblocks. If you're in the affected area, be careful, monitor the media and follow the advice of the local authorities (see 'Safety'). There's an ongoing high threat of terrorist attacks in Türkiye Terrorists could attack with little or no warning (see 'Safety'). We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Türkiye overall due to the high threat of terrorist attack. Higher levels apply.

We've reviewed our advice for Saudi Arabia. We've lowered the travel advice level. We now advise exercise a high degree of caution due to threat of terrorism and missile and drone attacks. Higher levels apply. If you're planning to travel for Hajj, you must book through the Nusuk website (see Travel). We now advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Saudi Arabia overall due threat of terrorism and missile and drone attacks. Higher levels apply in some areas.

We've reviewed our advice for Guam. We haven't changed the level of our advice, exercise normal safety precautions. Entry requirements for Guam are the same as for the United States. Before entering Guam, you'll need to complete a mandatory electronic declaration form, available 72 hours prior to departure (see Travel). We now advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in Guam.

We've reviewed our advice for the Philippines. We haven't changed the level of our advice, exercise a high degree of caution overall. Higher levels apply. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines overall due to crime and terrorism. Higher levels apply in some areas.

We've reviewed our advice for Slovakia. We haven't changed the level, exercise normal safety precautions. There are no COVID-19 restrictions for entry into Slovakia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing. The security situation continues to be volatile. Do not travel from Slovakia to Ukraine. We advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in Slovakia.

We've reviewed our travel advice for Bulgaria. We haven't changed the level of our advice, exercise normal safety precautions. All COVID-19 entry requirements have been removed. You'll need to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19 or if you're a close contact with someone who tests positive. We advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in Bulgaria.

Balinese New Year (Nyepi) is on 22 March. Shops, restaurants and all tourist facilities in Bali will be closed. Ngurah Rai International Airport will suspend operations from 6am on 22 March to 6am on 23 March. If you're transiting during this period you'll be required to stay inside the airport. Harbours in Bali will also be closed during this period. Overland travel should be avoided. Contact your airline or travel provider for more details. Indonesian Parliament has passed revisions to its criminal code, which includes penalties for cohabitation and sex outside of marriage. These revisions will not come into force for three years. Subscribe to the travel advice to stay up to date. Check the latest visa, entry and vaccination requirements with your travel provider or your nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before travel. You must have received a full initial COVID-19 vaccine course (usually 2 doses) to enter Indonesia. Children under 18 are not required to be vaccinated...

Protests are expected across South Africa on 20 March. Services may be disrupted. Avoid areas affected by demonstrations and protests. Follow the advice of local authorities. A state of disaster is in place due to ongoing power shortages. Rolling blackouts (load shedding) are occurring throughout South Africa (see 'Full Advice > Safety'). We continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa due to the high level of serious crime.

We've reviewed our advice for North Macedonia. We've lowered the level. We now advise exercise normal safety precautions. We now advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in North Macedonia.  

From 17 March, air travellers to Canada originating from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao will no longer be required to provide evidence of a COVID-19 test result before boarding their flight to Canada. We advise:  Exercise normal safety precautions in Canada.

We've reviewed our advice for Taiwan. We haven't changed the level of our advice, exercise normal safety precautions. Local authorities no longer provide free COVID-19 RAT kits on arrival or to close contacts of confirmed cases. Indoor mask-wearing rules have been relaxed, but you'll still need to wear a mask in all medical facilities and on all public transport. When you arrive in Taiwan, you'll be required to undertake 7 days of Self-initiated Epidemic Prevention (SEP). The SEP period can be done in a private residence, provided it meets the criteria. You'll only need to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) if you develop COVID-19 symptoms during the 7-day SEP (see 'Travel'). We advise:  Exercise normal safety precautions in Taiwan.

There are no COVID-19 related restrictions for entry to Germany. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Germany due to the threat of terrorism.

Iraq has banned the import, manufacture, and selling of alcoholic beverages of all types, punishable by fines of up to IQD 25 million. Customs officers may also confiscate prohibited goods or items deemed a threat to the peace, security, health, environment, or social order of Iraq. The security situation throughout Iraq remains volatile. Due to the security environment and the ongoing threat of kidnappings, you should leave Iraq immediately by commercial means if it's safe to do so. If you're staying in Iraq, be alert and check media for updates on new threats. We continue to advise: Do not travel to Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, due to the volatile security situation and very high risk of violence, armed conflict, kidnapping and terrorist attack.

Austrian authorities have reported a heightened threat of a terrorist attack against places of worship in Vienna. There's an increased police presence at various sites throughout Vienna. Exercise caution, remain alert and follow the advice of local authorities. See 'Safety'. We advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in Austria.

We’ve reviewed our advice for Serbia. We’ve lowered the travel advice level. We now advise exercise normal safety precautions. We now advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in Serbia.

We've reviewed our advice for India. We continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution overall. We now advise reconsider your need to travel to the Atari-Wagah border crossing, north-eastern states of Assam (except Guwahati), Nagaland and Manipur; and Chhattisgarh, and the border areas of neighbouring states due to the high risk of violence. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in India overall due to the high threat of terrorist activity, civil unrest and crime. Higher levels apply in some areas.

We've reviewed our advice for Ghana. We now advise do not travel to the border with Burkina Faso and reconsider your need to travel to the Upper East and Upper West regions. There continues to be a heightened risk of terrorist attacks in the northern areas of Ghana bordering Burkina Faso. Terrorists and other armed groups are active in these areas. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Ghana overall due to crime. Higher levels apply in some areas.  

A 60-day State of Emergency has been declared in the province of Esmeraldas due to the high levels of crime and homicides. Monitor local media and follow the Ecuadorian Government's official advice (see Safety). We advise: Reconsider your need to travel to Ecuador overall due to civil unrest and increased security threats. Higher levels apply in some areas.

From 12.01am (AEDT) on Saturday, 11 March, if you're arriving in Australia from China, you no longer need to undertake pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirements. To enter China, you need a nucleic acid test prior to departure. As previously advised, authorities have detained foreigners on the grounds of 'endangering national security'. Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in China overall due to ongoing local COVID-19 restrictions. Other levels apply in some areas.

Italy has removed COVID-19 related entry requirements for passengers arriving from any country (see 'Travel'). We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Italy due to the strained health care system.  

We've reviewed our advice for Thailand. We haven't changed the level of our advice, exercise a high degree of caution. Higher levels apply. If you're visiting Thailand and then travelling to a country that requires COVID-19 testing (RAT or PCR test) for entry, you'll need to purchase medical insurance prior to your arrival in Thailand. The insurance will need to provide cover for COVID-19 treatment. You no longer need permission to enter Thailand, show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result. Thailand continues to experience local transmission of COVID-19. Wear a mask, practice social distancing, and follow government restrictions. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution to Thailand overall due to the possibility of civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attack, including in Bangkok and Phuket.  Higher levels apply in some areas.

We’ve reviewed our advice for Qatar. We haven’t changed the level of our advice, exercise normal safety precautions. It's mandatory for all visitors to Qatar to purchase approved medical insurance before, or on arrival. Hayya cards obtained to enter Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup may be used for entry until January 2024. You may be eligible for a visa on arrival, depending on your country of residence and purpose of travel. See 'Travel' for more information on entry requirements. We advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in Qatar.

If you arrive in Japan on a direct flight from China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), you'll be required to present a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Some of these arrivals will also be required to take a COVID-19 test on arrival at the airport. Japan has resumed its visa exemption scheme for short-stay tourism and business travel. If you're travelling from Australia, you no longer need a visa to travel to Japan for stays of up to 90 days. Prior to departure you will need to register with Visit Japan Web to upload your vaccination certificate (or pre-departure PCR test result), answer a health survey and complete immigration and customs questionnaires. This will generate a QR code which you will need to show upon arrival in Japan. (See Travel). We advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in Japan. Higher levels apply in some areas.

You must pay a compulsory US$20 Airport Security Fee when entering and exiting The Gambia at the Banjul International Airport. Children below 2 years of age and transit passengers are exempt. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in The Gambia due to the high level of crime. Other levels apply in some areas.