AUSTRALIA TRAVEL WARNING: TongaPUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT23 November 2006 Tonga
SUMMARY |
- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Tonga because of the risk of politically-related violence. On 16 November, politically-related violence broke out in Nuku'alofa. Large parts of the central business district, including many buildings and shops, were burnt down, and a number of people were killed. The security situation remains tense and could deteriorate again without warning and Australians could be caught up in violence directed at others.
- On 19 November 2006, the Tongan Government imposed a state of emergency which will apply for one month in the central business district of Nuku'alofa. Access to the central business district, including to the Australian High Commission, is restricted. Australians seeking consular assistance may find it difficult to pass through the military checkpoint. To facilitate passage, we recommend clients contact the mission beforehand on 23244. They will also need to present their passport at the checkpoint before being able to proceed to the Australian High Commission.
- You should avoid large public gatherings and protests because of the risk of disturbances arising from protests about political change.
# The airport resumed operations on 20 November 2006. Australians wishing to depart Tonga should contact their airline or travel agent directly. - New security arrangements on the road leading to the entrance of the airport require that passengers arrive considerably earlier than they would have previously in order to avoid missing flights. Only passengers and the driver of the vehicle will be allowed through the checkpoint.
- A few areas of Nuku'alofa are still without electricity. Mobile phone services have also been affected. Many shops have been looted or burnt down and there is the possibility of food and fuel shortages.
- Australians in Nuku'alofa should maintain a high level of personal security awareness, avoid government buildings and monitor the media and other local information sources for information about safety or security risks. You should follow the instructions of security personnel.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
SAFETY AND SECURITYTerrorism Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers. Civil Unrest/Political Tension We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Tonga because of the risk of politically-related violence. On 16 November, politically-related violence broke out in Nuku'alofa. Large parts of the central business district, including many buildings and shops, were burnt down, and a number of people were killed. The security situation remains tense and could deteriorate again without warning and Australians could be caught up in violence directed at others. On 19 November 2006, the Tongan Government imposed a state of emergency which will apply for one month in the central business district of Nuku'alofa. Access to the central business district, including to the Australian High Commission, is restricted. Australians seeking consular assistance may find it difficult to pass through the military checkpoint. To facilitate passage, we recommend clients should contact the mission beforehand on 23244. They will also need to present their passport at the checkpoint before being able to proceed to the Australian High Commission. You should avoid large public gatherings and protests because of the risk of disturbances arising from protests about political change. The airport resumed operations on 20 November 2006. Australians wishing to depart Tonga should contact their airline or travel agent directly. New security arrangements on the road leading to the entrance of the airport require that passengers arrive considerably earlier than they would have previously in order to avoid missing flights. Only passengers and the driver of the vehicle will be allowed through the checkpoint. A few areas of Nuku'alofa are still without electricity. Mobile phone services have also been affected. Many shops have been looted or burnt down and there is the possibility of food and fuel shortages. Australians in Nuku'alofa should maintain a high level of personal security awareness, avoid government buildings and monitor the media and other local information sources for information about safety or security risks. You should follow the instructions of security personnel. Crime Crime levels in Tonga are relatively low, although house break-ins and property theft are common. There have also been some incidences of violent assault associated with robbery. Security risks increase after dark. Local Travel Driving in Tonga can be hazardous, particularly at night, due to poor visibility and the quality of roads. The safety standards Australians might expect of tour operators are not always met, especially when undertaking inter-islands trips. Sufficient life jackets for boats, rafts and kayaks are not always provided. Air safety standards may not meet Australian standards. Natural Disasters Tonga is affected periodically by tropical storms and typhoons between October and April. These can disrupt air services, water and power supplies. Typhoon and storm information for the Pacific Ocean region is available from the USA Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center , USA National Weather Service Forecast Office and the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. Local TV and radio can be expected to provide advice on developments before, during and after a cyclone. Tonga is located in an earthquake zone. You can collect safety advisory sheets on cyclones and earthquakes from the Australian High Commission in Nuku'alofa. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities. Money and Valuables Before you go, organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home. While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves. As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible. Since 1 July 2005, Australians have been required to pay an additional fee to have their passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports. For Parents If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia. Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council. Local Laws When you are in Tonga, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter. Offences such as stealing and sexual and physical assault may attract corporal punishment. Sodomy is illegal in Tonga. Child pornography is illegal. Other forms of pornography may attract criminal penalties. Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia. Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia. Local CustomsThere are strict standards of dress and behaviour in Tonga and you should take care not to offend. Entry and Exit RequirementsVisa conditions change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Tonga for the most up to date information. Health Issues Hospital and medical facilities in Tonga are basic and evacuation may be required in cases of serious illness or accident. Medical evacuation would normally be to Australia or New Zealand. If you intend to go scuba diving you should be aware that there is no decompression chamber on the island. Serious cases of decompression sickness are evacuated to the nearest treatment centre in Townsville, Queensland. All registered dive companies carry basic treatment equipment to meet PADI standards. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza. Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about immunisations and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for staying healthy while travelling overseas. We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. | 
