Liberia

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

Liberia is recovering from civil war. The United Nations (UN) Mission in Liberia was completed in March 2018.

Some sensitive political issues persist, like the imprisonment of former President Charles Taylor for war crimes. Supporters may take revenge on travellers from the United Kingdom.

Grand Gedeh and River Gee counties are especially dangerous due to the political situation and risk of violence.

Armed groups operate in the areas bordering Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Cross border attacks happened in 2014, and could happen again.

When you're in Liberia:

• don't talk about political issues
• avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

You may be a target for crimes such as:

• muggings
• residential burglary
• armed robbery

The police can't always help or protect you.

Be aware of your surroundings. Don't travel alone or after dark, as crime levels rise.

If you're a victim of violent crime, especially rape, get immediate medical attention.

Scams and fraud

Internet scams come in many forms. They may start as romance, friendship, business or job opportunities.

These scams often originate in West African countries, including Liberia.

If you travel to Liberia as a scam victim, you may be kidnapped and killed.

Common fraud schemes fall into two main categories — commercial and relationship scams.

In commercial scams, criminals ask for details of safe bank accounts to transfer large amounts of money. They may:

• promise you a payment
• send fake cashier cheques for urgent goods shipments
• ask for large fees for a fake government contract
• extort money from you for a fake business opportunity

In relationship scams, criminals often meet their victims through internet dating sites or chat rooms. Once they have formed a connection, they may ask you to:

• send money so they can come to Australia
• come to Africa to meet them

Once you transfer money, the relationship often ends.

To avoid being a victim of a scam:

• be wary of online contact from people you don't know
• don't send money until you've thoroughly checked who you're sending it to

If you suspect a scam, get legal advice.

Don't travel to Liberia to get your money back or to get revenge.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Strong coastal currents are common. Get local advice before you swim.

Flooding may happen in the rainy season from May to November.

If a natural disaster or severe weather happens, follow the advice of local authorities.

Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.

This advice predates COVID-19 and the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. 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:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away

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:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least eight weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health (World Health Organization)

Counselling services

If you need counselling services, call the Australian Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 and ask to speak to a Lifeline telephone counsellor.

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 take medication, check if it's legal in Liberia. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medication

COVID-19

COVID-19 remains a risk in Liberia. 

If you have COVID-19 symptoms call 4455 with a local network provider to self-report.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Ebola

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Liberia free from Ebola virus disease on 9 June 2016.

WHO expects further outbreaks to occur. Monitor WHO for updates.

HIV/AIDS

The rate of HIV/AIDS (World Health Organization) infection is high.

Take precautions to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.

Yellow fever

Yellow fever (Department of Health) is widespread in Liberia. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.

Lassa fever

Lassa fever may be a risk. Monitor local media and the World Health Organization for updates.

Lassa fever is spread through contact with rodents or body fluids of infected people. To protect yourself:

• avoid contact with rodents and their droppings
• keep food in rodent-proof containers
• don't eat any food if it could be contaminated
• avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of infected people
• avoid contact with items that may have come in contact with an infected person's blood or body fluids (clothes, bedding, needles, medical equipment)

Get immediate medical help if you develop any symptoms of Lassa fever, including a fever, weakness in your body or unexplained pain.

Insect-borne diseases

Malaria (World Health Organization) and other insect-borne illnesses are common.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothes
• consider taking medicine to prevent malaria

Other health risks

Common waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases including these listed by the World Health Organization:

• cholera
• hepatitis
• tuberculosis
• typhoid

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
• don't swim in fresh water

Get medical advice if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.

More information:

• Infectious diseases

Medical facilities

Medical facilities are poor in Monrovia and are extremely limited outside the capital.

Local health services may have difficulty responding to outbreaks of infectious disease. Mandatory quarantine facilities are poor and have very limited health care.

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 will need evacuation 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.

Drugs

It's a serious offence to have, use or traffic illegal drugs. Penalties can include large fines and long jail terms.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

Same-sex relationships are illegal.

It's also illegal to:

• have pornographic material
• take photos around military and government buildings, airports and ports
• export diamonds, unless you follow local export laws

Penalties can be severe.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTI travellers 

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Liberia does not recognise dual nationality. Always travel on your Australian passport.

If you enter Liberia on a Liberian passport, local authorities will treat you as a citizen. This limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Liberia is a conservative society, especially in areas outside Monrovia.

Take care not to offend.

Think about your clothing choices. Local women wear loose-fitting clothes that cover the upper arms and legs.

Visa conditions

A visa is required to travel to Liberia.  Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Liberia for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

The Liberian Government has introduced strict measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Expect border closures, travel bans, curfews and other restrictions on your movement. You could be refused entry.

If you enter Liberia after residing in a country with more than 200 cases of COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to arrival, you must quarantine in a government designated observation centre for 14 days.

There is additional screening for travellers using a Laissez-passer or recently issued passport.

Don't rely on published flight schedules. It's extremely unlikely any international commercial flights will operate for some time. Contact your travel provider for the latest information.

Monitor the media for updates, and follow the instructions of local authorities.

The Australian High Commission in Accra has very limited capacity to provide consular assistance in Liberia.

Travel via France

If you plan to transit through France back to Australia, you must carry a government certificate. Also take hard copies of your plane tickets with you. Australian passport holders transiting Charles de Gaulle airport may not leave the international transit zone.

Contact your closest Australian Embassy or High Commission with your flight details. They can provide them to the Australian Embassy in Paris which will give advance notice of your transit to the French border police.

More information:

• France

Health checks

Be prepared for health checks at border crossings.

If you have a fever or Ebola-like symptoms, you may:

• be quarantined
• be denied entry or exit

Yellow fever vaccination

You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Liberia. See Health

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)

Validity

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.

Lost or stolen 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:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.

• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Most places won't accept credit cards. Only a few businesses will take traveller's cheques.

ATMs are limited in Monrovia.

Western Union and Moneygram have agents in Monrovia.

Always carry photo ID. Government security checkpoints will ask to see it.

Outside Monrovia, there are few tourist facilities and infrastructure is poor.

Driving permit

You can drive in Liberia for up to 12 months with an International Driving Permit (IDP).You will also need to carry a police cover note in addition to your IDP.  

You must get your IDP before you leave Australia.

After 12 months, you need a Liberian licence to drive.

Road travel

Driving in Liberia is dangerous, especially after dark.

Hazards include:

• poor road conditions
• badly maintained vehicles
• poor lighting

Attacks on security forces have occurred around the Firestone rubber plantation area, near the international airport.

Use major roads when you travel near the plantation and the airport.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Public transport

Public transport options are limited.

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Liberia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 911.

Medical emergencies

Call 911.

If you call 911, authorities may not answer. Plan for other ways to get help in an emergency.

Police

Call 911 or go to a local police station. If you call 911, authorities may not answer.

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 Liberia.

You can get consular help from the Australian High Commission in Ghana.

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.

Australian High Commission, Accra

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

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia