Wong warns of travel disruptions as Smartraveller updates Middle East advice

Smartraveller has added Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen to its list of countries Australians should not travel to, and advises reconsidering travel to Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong said Australians should expect travel disruptions and that the government’s priority is the safety and security of Australians; it will provide regular travel advice updates and consular assistance where possible, while noting the limits of government action in a fast-moving environment.

Wong said about 115,000 Australians are in the Middle East and roughly 11,000 travel regularly on Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways. She warned the quickest way home for many will be commercial flights if they resume, but at present flights are being cancelled and it is very difficult for the government to provide much assistance.

Australia, Middle East

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