- Travel Advice
DFAT advice for Chile
When travelling to Chile, you should always get travel insurance in case the worst happens. To help you ensure you travel safely, we have included the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Chile.
| Chile overall | This Advice is current for Saturday, 13 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 in the Summary and under Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate: (airport operations). We now advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Chile.
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Summary
- We advise you reconsider your need to travel to Chile at this time due to extensive earthquake damage.
- On 27 February, an earthquake measuring 8.8 magnitude occurred around 300km south of Santiago, the Chilean capital, centred on the town of Conception. Large numbers of people have been affected. There has been widespread damage to major infrastructure, including roads and buildings. The major port of Valparaiso, close to Santiago, has been declared a disaster area. Santiago international airport was seriously damaged and is only operating at limited capacity. Aftershocks are expected to occur. Rescue and reconstruction efforts are underway. Australians in Chile should follow the instructions of local authorities.
- If you have concerns for the welfare of family and friends overseas, you should first attempt to contact them directly. If you are unable to contact them and still hold concerns for their welfare, you should call the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 (02) 6261-3305 (from outside Australia).
- Exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
- You should avoid all demonstrations and protests as they may turn violent.
- In recent years, several small scale bombs have been detonated in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago. On 3 November 2009, a small bomb exploded at the Marriott Hotel, Santiago, causing injuries to one person.
- On 3 April 2009, the Llaima volcano, located south of Santiago, erupted. The Government has restricted access to the Conguillio National Park and the surrounding area.
- Eruptions from the Chaiten volcano in southern Chile resulted in considerable ash fall and evacuation of residents from the surrounding areas in May 2008. A Red Alert remains in place for the region of Los Lagos in Southern Chile and the city of Chaiten.
- If you are in any of the regions affected, you should monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities. See the section Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate below for more information.
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (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.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
