smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Bahrain
| Bahrain overall | This Advice is current for Friday, 12 March 2010. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 under Local Laws (local legal matters). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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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.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Bahrain because of the high threat of terrorist attack.
Statements by international terrorists groups have called for attacks against Western interests in the Gulf region, including residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. Commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners are possible terrorist targets. Attacks could occur at any time and could be directed against any locations known to be frequented by foreigners. Although there has been no reported terrorist attack in Bahrain, terrorists have attacked Westerners in the region. Further attacks in the Arabian Peninsula, including Bahrain, cannot be ruled out.
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include shopping areas, supermarkets, embassies, hotels, clubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres, schools, places of worship, public transport, residential areas, outdoor recreation events and tourist areas.
International events and political and military developments in the region may prompt large demonstrations. Tensions may be high at religious gatherings.
You should avoid any large gatherings and demonstrations throughout Bahrain as they may become violent and stay away from areas where protests are known to occur.
You should closely monitor the media and other local information sources for information about possible new safety or security risks.
Bahrain is largely free of serious or violent crime, but petty crime including pick-pocketing and bag snatching does occur, particularly in the old market areas (souks).
Road travel can be dangerous due to unsafe driving practices (particularly speeding). Roaming animals and drifting sands are additional road hazards.
Off road driving can be hazardous. You should ensure vehicles are well equipped and properly maintained. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Women should take particular care when travelling alone, especially at night.
You should be aware that vessels may not meet the safety standards you would expect in Australia. In March 2006, a dhow capsized in Bahrain killing 58 people, including foreigners. You should ensure life jackets are available.
Travellers entering the Gulf area by sea should be aware that many areas are sensitive in relation to security and territory. In particular, maritime boundaries and the islands of Abu Musa and the Tunbs in the Southern Gulf are sensitive. There are reports of detentions and inspections of vessels and arrest.
Piracy occurs in the Gulf. See our travel advice on travelling by sea for further information. The International Maritime Bureau issues weekly piracy reports on its website.
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.
Bahrain often experiences extremely high temperatures. During the hottest months of the year, the temperature can exceed 50˚C.
Sand and dust storms occur regularly.
Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
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.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways of accessing your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques and US dollars cash. 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 general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or child care 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 child care providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Bahrain, 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. Be aware that you may not be allowed to leave Bahrain if commercial, labour or other legal proceedings are underway.
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, including for possession, are severe and include the death penalty and life imprisonment.
Serious crimes, such as murder, may attract the death penalty.
Australians who might engage in activities that involve local legal matters, particularly with regard to family law (divorce, child custody and child support), are strongly advised to seek professional advice and ensure they are aware of their rights and responsibilities. See also Entry and Exit Requirements below.
Homosexuality and homosexual acts are illegal in Bahrain. Those convicted may be imprisoned and/or deported.
There is zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol. Offenders may be detained, fined and banned from driving.
The penalty for some offences, including stealing, may be corporal punishment (lashing).
It is illegal to attempt to convert a Muslim to another religion.
It is illegal to photograph sensitive buildings. If in doubt, you should ask local authorities.
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.
There are strict standards of dress and behaviour in Bahrain. Any displays of disrespect of Islam will cause great offence. You should dress and behave modestly and take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.
During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims. Ramadan and Shia religious festivals are particularly sensitive times. You should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.
Hotels may refuse accommodation to couples unable to provide proof of marriage.
Public displays of affection may offend.
The Bahraini weekend is Friday - Saturday.
Bahrain does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/Bahraini dual nationals who are arrested or detained.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. You may experience difficulties as you enter Bahrain if your passport has evidence of travel to Israel, such as entry or exit stamps. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Bahrain for the most up-to-date information.
Children born of a Bahraini father require their father's permission to depart Bahrain (regardless of their parents' marital status).
People involved in commercial disputes may be prevented from leaving Bahrain until the dispute is resolved.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
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 (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 staying healthy and travelling with medicines while overseas.
The standard of medical services in Bahrain is high. Costs can be high and payment may be required before treatment begins. The Bahraini Government may seek to recover costs from foreign nationals receiving emergency treatment. In the event of a serious illness or an accident or for complex medical procedures, medical evacuation may be required to a location with appropriate facilities. Costs for medical evacuation are considerable.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases can occur. We encourage you to consult your doctor about what vaccinations you may require before travelling. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including some in the Middle East. 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 Bahrain. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Saudi Arabia:
Australian Embassy
Abdullah Bin Hozafa Al-Shami Avenue
Diplomatic Quarter
Riyadh KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Telephone: (966 1) 488 7788
Facsimile: (966 1) 488 7973
Website: www.saudiarabia.embassy.gov.au
If you are travelling to Bahrain, 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 on-line 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.
