In view of the current situation in Bali, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China extended the validity of the security alert to Bali until the 4th of January 2018. Following is the translated version of the full text:
“Alert to Chinese citizens not to travel to Bali during this period
Publication date: 27th of November 2017, 15:42
(This alert is valid until 4th of January 2018)
On the 27th of November 2017, following the situation caused by the eruption of Bali’s Agung volcano, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate-General of China in Denpasar issued a security alert valid until the 4th of December 2017, alerting Chinese citizens not to travel to Bali. Given the current situation, the same alert is now extended until the 4th of January 2018. Following is the general situation:
The eruption of the Agung volcano has continued since the 21st of November and remains at the highest alert level 4. Volcanic mudflow, lava, rocks, ash, smoke, among others, has caused different degrees of damage to agricultural lands, rivers and housing constructions near the volcano, as well as damage to physical health. Around ninety to one hundred thousand affected people were evacuated to safety zones. The Government of Indonesia has issued a warning stating that all activities in the area within a radius of 8 km around the crater and within a radius of 10 km North-Northeast, Southwest-South-Southeast sectors of the crater are prohibited.
Affected by the volcano ash, Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport was temporarily closed from 07:15 on the 27th of November until 14:28 on the 29th of November (local time). Up to this moment, flights taking East and Southeast airspace routes are still not operating back to schedule. The Lombok International Airport was closed three times since the 25th of November. Monitoring staff predict that before a large eruption of the Agung volcano, small-scale lava eruptions may continue for more than a month, and the above airports could be closed at any time due to the volcanic ash.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate-General of China in Denpasar once again warns Chinese citizens not to travel to Bali during this period. Chinese citizens already in Bali should stay in maximum alert, strengthen security precautions to ensure their personal safety, avoid traveling to areas close to the volcano, maintain contact with their travel agencies or airlines where from which air-tickets were purchased and plan their swift return to the country. In case of an emergency, contact immediately the police and the Consulate-General of China.
Given the special circumstances of the destination in question, if Chinese citizens insist on traveling to Bali after this alert is issued, they may be exposed to a high security risk and be subjected to delays in receiving any assistance as well as possibly incur personal costly expenses due to the delay in assistance.
Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour hotline: +86 10 12308, +86-10-59913991;
Consulate-General of China in Denpasar for Consular Protection and Assistance, Tel: +62-361239902;
Indonesia Police, Tel: +62-110;
Medical Emergencies, Tel: +62-118.”
The GGCT alerts Macao residents that the Level 2 Travel Alert issued to Bali remains in force. Macao residents who intend to travel to or are already in Bali should reconsider for the moment the travel. It is suggested to avoid non-essential travel to the destination.
If necessary, Macao residents can call:
24-Hour Tourism Hotline+853 2833 3000;
The Chinese Embassy and consulates or the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour hotline:+86 10 12308for assistance.
The Travel Alert System does not have a prohibitive nature and it is up to each individual to decide to travel or adjust their travel plan according to the information provided. The GGCT advises Macao residents before traveling to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, with coverage option for the Macao SAR Travel Alert System, international emergency medical evacuation coverage, and to also verify with their insurers in case of any doubts regarding the terms and conditions of their insurance coverage.”