smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Georgia
| Georgia overall | This Advice is current for Wednesday, 07 January 2009. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Pankisi Gorge north of Akhmeta | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Terrorism (update), Civil Unrest/Political Tension (update) and Local Travel (update). The overall level of the advice has decreased.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Car bombings have recently occurred in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In early October 2008, a car bomb in South Ossetia reportedly killed seven members of the Russian military. While such attacks may be directed at military/security facilities it is possible that civilians may be affected.
Terrorists have in the past targeted markets, public transport and commercial and public places where foreigners may be present.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Georgia because of the uncertain security situation and the serious risk of crime against foreigners. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
South Ossetia and Abkhazia: We strongly advise you not to travel to the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, including the disputed areas of Akhalgori, Perevi and the Kodori Gorge. There was serious fighting in South Ossetia and Abkhazia as well as in other parts of the country, including Poti, Gori and near Tbilisi, between 7 and 12 August 2008. There are reports of unexploded ordnance in these areas. On 24 August 2008 an unexplained explosion near Gori destroyed a train carrying fuel. It has been confirmed that cluster bombs were used in the course of the hostilities.
The Russian military has recently withdrawn from "buffer zones" on the Georgian side of the purported borders of the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russian military forces remain in the regions of Akhalgori and Perevi, and the Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia, as well as in other parts of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. While military operations in Georgia have ceased, tensions remain and there continues to be reports of violence in and around these regions.
Pankisi Gorge: We also strongly advise you not to travel to the area of the Pankisi Gorge to the north of Akhmeta. This region has, in recent years, been the scene of periodic fighting between Georgian forces and Chechen militia and criminal elements including suspected international terrorists.
The situation in the rest of Georgia, including the capital Tbilisi, remains calm. Anti-Russian demonstrations have taken place in Tbilisi and may continue throughout the country.
You should avoid large public gatherings and demonstrations as they may turn violent.
There is a serious risk of crime against foreigners, including kidnapping in Georgia.
There is a high threat of kidnapping throughout Georgia, particularly on the main road between the capital Tbilisi and western Georgia. Travel in groups and the use of local escorts may reduce the risk of kidnapping and hijacking.
Violent crime, including robberies, carjacking, sexual assault, home invasions and assaults occur against foreigners throughout Georgia, including in Tbilisi. Inadequate street lighting in public places increases the risk of crime after dark.
Petty crime, including pickpocketing and bag snatching, occurs throughout Georgia.
Unexploded ordnance poses a risk in those areas where fighting has taken place. You should avoid these areas until they are cleared.
All land borders with Russia are closed. It is illegal to enter Georgia via Abkhazia as there is no official border control.
Some roads in the Abkhazia region may be mined.
Driving in Georgia may be hazardous as roads and vehicles are often poorly maintained. Roads often lack adequate lighting and signage. Drivers should maintain caution as the standard of driving is erratic with traffic signals and rules often completely ignored. Mountainous roads can be dangerous particularly in winter. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Public transport (buses, trains and taxis) can be unsafe.
In July 2006, all transport links, postal services, trade and bank operations between Georgia and the Russian Federation were suspended. Land and sea borders remain closed. There are currently no direct flights between Georgia and Russia.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Georgia is located in an active seismic zone. Information on natural disasters, including earthquakes and volcanic activity, can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.
If you are in an area affected by a natural disaster, you should monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. Travellers' cheques are not commonly accepted in Georgia.
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 Australia's 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 passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Children travelling alone or with one parent/guardian will require a letter of consent for travel signed by both 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 child care 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.
When you are in Georgia, 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.
Penalties for drug offences include heavy fines and long prison sentences.
There is a policy of zero tolerance for drink driving in Georgia (i.e. driving with a blood alcohol level greater than zero is an offence).
Photography near military installations and establishments of strategic importance, including airports is prohibited.
You must carry with you your passport and originals of the registered visa and migration card. Photocopies are not acceptable.
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.
The level of consular assistance the Australian Government can provide to Australian/Georgian dual nationals who are arrested or detained and have travelled on their Georgian passport may be very limited.
Australian/Georgian dual nationals may be required to perform military service in Georgia. Australian/Georgian dual nationals should seek advice from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Georgia well in advance of travel.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Australians require a visa to visit Georgia. Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Georgia or visit the Georgian Foreign Ministry website, well in advance of travel for the most up-to-date information.
Land and sea borders with Russia are currently closed.
Visas for Turkey and Armenia can be obtained at the border but a visa for Azerbaijan must be obtained prior to entry. There is an Azerbaijan Embassy in Tbilisi.
Travellers intending to stay in Tbilisi longer than three days must register with the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Failure to do so may result in fines or imprisonment.
For children (under 18 years of age) travelling alone or with one parent, local immigration authorities, in addition to the child's passport, may require a letter of consent from the non-travelling parent(s) and a copy of the child's birth certificate. You should check these requirements with an Embassy or Consulate of Georgia.
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, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Medical care in Georgia, particularly outside Tbilisi, is limited. While medical supplies, both European and Russian, are available, the quality of medical services and facilities is poor. Medical evacuation, at considerable cost, may be necessary in the event of a serious illness or injury.
Malaria is a risk in the south-eastern part of the country. We recommend that you consider the need for prophylaxis against malaria and use insect repellent at all times.
Water-borne, food-borne, and other infectious diseases (including tuberculosis, typhoid, hepatitis, brucellosis and rabies) occur with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes, unpasteurised dairy products, and raw and undercooked food.
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.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Georgia. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Turkey:
Australian Embassy
MNG Building, 7th floor
88 Ugur Mumcu Caddesi
Gaziosmanpasa
Ankara TURKEY
Telephone (90 312) 459 9500
Facsimile (90 312) 446 4827
Website http://www.turkey.embassy.gov.au/
In an emergency, limited consular assistance, which does not include the issue of Australian passports, may be obtained from:
British Embassy
GMT Plaza
4 Freedom Square
Tbilisi, 0105
Telephone +995 32 274775
Facsimile +995 32 274779
If you are travelling to Georgia, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
