Solomon Islands Smart Traveler Update

[DrDave]

Travel Advice
from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands overall This Advice is current for Wednesday, 20 May 2009.

This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Health Issues (dengue fever). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Summary

* We advise you to exercise caution in the Solomon Islands because of the risk of criminal activity.
* Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
* You should avoid protests and large gatherings as they may turn violent.
* Cyclone season in the Solomon Islands is from November to April. However, tropical storms and cyclones may occur in other months. See the Natural Disasters section below for more detailed advice.
* Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
o organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
o register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency
o subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it’s reissued.

On this page:
Summary
Safety and Security
Local Laws
Entry and Exit Requirements
Health Issues
Where to Get Help
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Safety and Security
Terrorism

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

You should avoid protests and large gatherings as they may turn violent. In April 2006, political tensions led to riots in the city centre, eastern Honiara and Chinatown and significant destruction of property occurred.
Crime

We advise you to exercise caution in the Solomon Islands because of the risk of criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

Criminal activity is of particular concern in Honiara and has sometimes involved violence, including at some nightclubs and bars. House and vehicle break-ins occur, sometimes targeting expatriates. Attacks on vehicles, such as stoning of vehicles and blocking of roads, occur periodically. There have also been incidents of more serious attacks on vehicles, including hijacking, robbery and involving sexual assault, particularly at night.

Staff of the Australian High Commission are advised to avoid walking, jogging or cycling after dark or in the early hours of the morning in Honiara and to be cautious when driving at night.

The presence of firearms in the community, particularly those in the hands of criminal elements, is a low but continuing risk.
Local Travel

If you are planning to travel outside Honiara, to rural Guadalcanal, Malaita and other provinces, you should contact the High Commission for an update on the security situation prior to travel.

You should consider taking precautions, such as providing your own life-jackets, when travelling by sea as safety regulations are not always strictly applied. Passenger ferry and flight services throughout the Solomon Islands are routinely subject to change at short notice.

Crocodiles are native to parts of the Solomon Islands, including areas close to Honiara. Local advice should be sought before entering unfamiliar waters.

Fire safety regulations are not always strictly applied. In planning your activities, consider fire safety standards.

See also our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Airline Safety

Domestic flights schedules are generally unreliable and subject to disruption. You should contact airlines directly to check the status of flights.

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.
Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

Cyclone season is between November to April when flooding, landslides and disruptions to services may occur. However, tropical storms and cyclones may occur in other months. The direction and strength of tropical cyclones can change with little warning. Information on severe weather is available from the World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre, Asia-Pacific Disaster Alerts or the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.

If you are travelling during cyclone season, you should contact your tour operator to check whether tourist services at your planned destination have been affected.

In the event of an approaching cyclone, you should identify your local shelter. We encourage Australians in affected areas to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the media for the latest developments. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. The cyclone could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe cyclone may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should familiarise yourself with your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. passport, photo identification) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather – Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.

Solomon Islands is subject to earthquakes, volcanic activity and tidal waves. An earthquake of 8.00 magnitude occurred in April 2007, triggering a tsunami and resulting in casualties and widespread damage and flooding in coastal regions of Western and Choiseul Provinces. The island of Savo, 35 kilometres North West of Honiara, is a cyclically active volcano.

All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.

Solomon Island authorities provide advice of any impending natural disaster threat through local media, radio and television.

If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Wildlife

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and 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.
Money and Valuables

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 Australian currency and travellers’ cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and 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 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 your 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.
For Parents

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.

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.
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Local Laws

When you are in Solomon Islands, 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.

Homosexual acts (by either sex) are illegal and penalties include jail sentences.

It is illegal to import or possess pornographic material. Offenders may be fined.

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 customs

There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Solomon Islands and you should take care not to offend. Public displays of affection may cause offence.
Information for Dual Nationals

Solomon Islands does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/Solomon Islands dual nationals who are arrested or detained. We recommend that you travel on your Australian passport at all times.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
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Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Solomon Islands for the most up to date information.

Make sure your passport has at least six months’ validity and carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
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Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, 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. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller’s medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations 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 facilities in Solomon Islands are very limited, with medical services in rural areas generally unavailable.

Rescue and emergency services are extremely limited. Evacuations are generally required in cases of serious illness or accident. Medical evacuations from Solomon Islands to Australia can cost upwards of AUD40, 000.

The Divers Alert Network (DAN) can provide information on diving safety. There is now a hyperbaric (decompression) chamber in Honiara and registered dive operators can provide advice on the access arrangements.

Malaria occurs throughout the year in most areas of Solomon Islands. We recommend that you seek medical advice on taking prophylaxis against malaria and that you use an insect repellent at all times. Outbreaks of the mosquito-borne illness, dengue fever, occur from time to time. For information on dengue fever, see the World Health Organisation’s factsheet.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including hepatitis, tuberculosis, filariasis and sexually transmitted infections) are prevalent, 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 and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

Ciguatera poisoning from eating reef fish can be a hazard. For more information on ciguatera poisoning see Queensland Health’s fact sheet.

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.
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Where to Get Help

In Solomon Islands, you can obtain consular assistance from the:

Australian High Commission
Cnr Hibiscus Ave and Mud Alley
Honiara
Telephone (677) 21 561.

If you are travelling to Solomon Islands, 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 High Commission 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.
This Advice was issued on Wednesday, 20 May 2009, 13:55:11, EST.

[ROB]

They really won’t stop talking about the 2006 riot.

[Anonymous]

Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it…..

I’m sure that’s why they are telling everyone about it over and over. I am sure it has nothing to do with the fact that people that write these things tend to jump when the actually catch the movement of their own shadow out of the corner of their eye.

[DrDave]

Dangit. I ain’t no guest. Sorry, forgot to sign in.

[ROB]

I think you’re right.

My understanding of that riot was that it had a lot to do with the local Chinese business community buying off corrupt politicians and very very little to do with Aussies.

Generalisations about “dangerous” might help legally cover their asses, but really do very little in the way of actionable insight. It would be nice if their analysts would actually do some analysing.

[Author]

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