23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
For criminal issues, contact the local police.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Do not travel to Guinea due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
There's currently heightened political unrest in Guinea, including in the capital Conakry.
On 5 September, gunfire occurred in Conakry. There were reports of casualties and unconfirmed deaths.
There's potential for the situation to deteriorate without warning. You should exercise caution, remain vigilant, monitor local media, and avoid movement.
The Australian High Commission in Accra has very limited capacity to provide consular assistance in Guinea. Register your details with DFAT if you're seeking to return to Australia.
There have been violent protests in Conakry and other towns, resulting in several deaths. The security situation can be volatile.
Increased tensions and hostilities are caused by:
Demonstrations and strikes may disrupt goods and basic services, including road transport and international flights.
To stay safe during periods of unrest:
There's a risk of violent crime, including:
This happens in Conakry and other parts of Guinea.
Criminals may target you:
In Conakry, petty criminals are active in the Madina, Niger and Taouyah markets.
Criminals may use children to help them steal, or pose as military officers.
To stay safe from petty crime in Guinea:
Frequent power outages may worsen security conditions, especially in large urban centres. This often leads to more crime, especially if street and traffic lights fail.
Internet scams may come in the form of romance, friendship, business and employment opportunities. These scams often originate in West African countries.
If you travel to West Africa as a scam victim, you are at risk of:
This includes travelling to meet a friend or love interest, as well as trying to get your money back or get revenge.
Commercial and relationship scams are common fraud schemes.
In commercial scams, criminals ask for details of safe bank accounts to transfer large amounts of money. They may also:
In relationship scams, criminals often meet their victims through internet dating sites or chat rooms. Once they have formed a connection, they may:
Once you transfer money, the relationship often ends. If you travel to Guinea to meet the criminals, you may be in danger.
To protect yourself from scams:
If you suspect a scam, get legal advice.
Don't travel to Guinea to get your money back or to get revenge. You could be in danger.
Piracy has been reported in the coastal waters.
The International Maritime Bureau issues piracy reports.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
Recent attacks have happened in West Africa, particularly:
Terrorists may target hotels, beaches and restaurants.
More information:
The wet season is from May to October.
In flooding, unsealed roads may become impassable without warning.
Follow the advice of local authorities if severe weather occurs.
Register for alerts from the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least eight weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Guinea. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
More information:
COVID-19 remains a risk in Guinea.
Monitor the media for information on latest developments and follow local authorities' advice. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call 4455 to self-report.
For information on Guinea's COVID−19 vaccination program, refer to advice by the Ministry of Health. You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
More information:
On 14 February 2021 Guinea declared it is facing an Ebola epidemic after seven cases and three deaths were confirmed in the south-eastern region of N’Zerekore. These are the first Ebola cases reported since June 2016.
Ebola is highly contagious and has a high fatality rate. Ebola is spread by direct contact with contaminated body fluids.
Initial symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle pain and chills. Later, a person may experience internal bleeding resulting in vomiting or coughing blood. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides further information on Ebola, including updates on outbreaks and flare-ups.
Yellow fever (Department of Health) is widespread in Guinea. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.
Malaria is also widespread in Guinea, along with filariasis and other insect-borne diseases (World Health Organization).
To protect yourself from disease:
Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.
HIV/AIDS (World Health Organization) is common in Guinea. Take precautions if you engage in activities that may expose you to the virus.
Lassa fever (World Health Organization) may be a risk when you have contact with rodents or with food or household items contaminated with rodent droppings.
To protect yourself from disease:
Get immediate medical help if you develop any symptoms of Lassa fever, including a fever, weakness in your body or unexplained pain.
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common, including these listed by the World Health Organization:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur. If there is an outbreak of infectious disease, follow the advice of local authorities.
To protect yourself from illness:
Get medical attention straight away if an animal scratches or bites you
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
Throughout Guinea, there's a lack of medical equipment and medicine.
Health facilities are limited in Conakry. Outside of the capital, the standard of facilities is poor.
Local health services may have difficulty responding to outbreaks of infectious disease.
You may need to pay cash up-front before doctors and hospitals will treat you, even in an emergency.
If you are seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be moved to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Serious crimes, such as murder and armed robbery, can attract the death penalty.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include prison sentences in local jails.
More information:
Same-sex relationships are illegal in Guinea. Fines or jail sentences may apply.
More information:
You must always carry original ID documents. Police and law enforcement can request to see them.
You can't export precious stones from Guinea without a licence. If you can't show a licence, authorities may imprison you.
It's illegal to take photos or videos of military or government buildings.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Guinea doesn't recognise dual nationality.
If you're a dual national, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.
Always travel on your Australian passport.
More information:
Dress and behaviour standards are conservative in Guinea.
Ask locals for advice. Take care not to offend.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact an Embassy of the Republic of Guinea for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Expect travel bans, curfews and other restrictions on your movement. Air travel may be cancelled at short notice or borders closed in response to political unrest. Some limited commercial flights are operating. Contact your airline for more information.
You must present a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test taken 72 hours before you depart, otherwise you'll be tested on arrival and required to quarantine for 14 days. Land and sea borders are closed.
A curfew is in place in Conakry, Coyah and Dubréka. Masks must be worn in public spaces.
These measures can change at short notice. Check with the nearest Guinea Embassy for details.
If you're staying in Guinea:
You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Guinea. You may be asked to show it when you leave.
You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to travel to other countries after visiting Guinea.
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever (Department of Health).
More information:
Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 74KB) (World Health Organization)
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than six months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
The local currency is the Guinean franc (GNF). Traveller's cheques and credit cards are accepted at most major hotels in Conakry.
Outside of the capital, banks are limited and you may need to use cash.
The Guinean authorities maintain police and local militia checkpoints across the whole country. Carry identification with you at all times.
When driving, you must be able to show:
Police or other law enforcement may ask you for these documents.
Driving hazards include:
You're five times more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in Guinea than in Australia.
Travel after dark is dangerous. Robberies and accidents are common.
Fuel shortages are common. There may be roadblocks in Conakry and across the country, particularly at night.
More information:
Public transport is limited in Guinea. Taxis are common, but vehicle and driving standards vary. Crime occurs in taxis and public transport.
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Guinea's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
For criminal issues, contact the local police.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Guinea.
The Canadian Embassy in Senegal can give consular assistance to Australians in Guinea, including issuing provisional travel documents.
Corner Rue Galleni and Rue Briere de l'Isle
Dakar, Senegal
Phone: +221 33 889 4700
Fax: +221 33 889 4720
Email: dakar@international.gc.ca
Website: canadainternational.gc.ca/senegal
You can also get consular assistance from the Australian High Commission in Ghana.
2, Second Rangoon Close
(cnr Josef Broz Tito Ave)
Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
Phone: +233 302 216 400
Fax: +233 302 216 410
Email: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au
Website: ghana.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australian High Commission, Ghana
Twitter: @AusAmbGHA
The Australian High Commission in Accra currently has very limited capacity to provide consular assistance in West Africa, except in Ghana. This will likely be reduced further as COVID-19 develops.
See the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.