{"metadata":{"generated":{"timestamp":1393624895,"date":"2014-02-28 23:01:35"}},"data":{"country-iso":"TN","advisory-state":1,"has-advisory-warning":0,"has-regional-advisory":1,"has-content":1,"update-metadata":"","eng":{"name":"Tunisia","url-slug":"tunisia","friendly-date":"February 19, 2014 17:26 ","advisory-text":"Exercise a high degree of caution; see also regional advisories.","recent-updates":"A minor editorial change was made.","advisories":"
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Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada advises against non-essential travel to the Chaambi Mountain National Park area, west of Kasserine, due to regional tensions, as well as to Tunisia’s Greater South, near the borders with Algeria and Libya and the Goubellat-Dougga region in the governorate of Beja.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/p>","security":"
The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely information in its Travel Advice. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. The Government of Canada will assist you in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at your personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability is high.<\/p>\n
There is an increased threat of kidnapping and terrorism in the area of the Mount Chaambi National Park. Military operations against suspected terrorists have been ongoing in the regions of Kef, Jendouba and Kasserine, including Mount Chaambi, since the end of April 2013. The use of improvised explosive device has been reported in these areas.<\/p>\n
Exercise a high degree of caution when travelling the Goubellat-Dougga region in the governorate of Beja.<\/p>\n
You must inform the authorities if you plan to travel overland through the Sahara, and give a copy of your itinerary, including your point of departure, to the National Guard Post at Médenine. Such travel should be undertaken in a group accompanied by an experienced tour guide, a car equipped with features such as a global positioning system and adequate supplies. Due to the intense heat, travel in the Sahara during the months of July and August is not recommended.<\/p>\n
Exercise a high degree of caution, regularly review your security practices and remain alert to the changing situation. <\/p>\n
Tunisia is facing an increased risk of potentially violent demonstrations. Public order is regularly disrupted for various reasons, including political, social and economic tensions. These disruptions take the form of public protests, labour strikes, roadblocks and other disturbances that on many occasions have deteriorated into violent clashes between members of extremist movements, the police and\/or civil society demonstrators, resulting in considerable property damage, injuries and deaths. There have been reports of members of extremist movements harassing foreigners.<\/p>\n
Exercise a high degree of caution, regularly review your security practices and remain alert to the changing situation, follow the advice of local authorities, avoid all confrontations, public gatherings and areas where unrest or other demonstrations could occur, since the situation could deteriorate suddenly.<\/p>\n
In 2013, the French military assisted the Malian government in efforts to repel armed rebels. Terrorist groups in the region declared their intention to increase attacks and kidnappings targeting Westerners. While the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali has been supporting the transitional authorities in stabilizing the region since July 2013, citizens of countries supporting the intervention are still at particular risk, but all travellers should exercise increased vigilance in the region.<\/p>\n
There is a general threat of terrorism and kidnapping in Tunisia. Maintain a high level of vigilance at all times.<\/p>\n
In the past year, a number of suspected terrorists and arms dealers have been captured in various regions of the country, indicating that extremist elements are present and that the instability in Libya and elsewhere in the Middle East continues to pose a general threat to the security of foreigners, religious sites, foreign institutions and tourist facilities. A suicide bomber detonated himself on a beach near a hotel strip in Sousse on October 30, 2013. The same day, an attack was foiled at a popular tourist attraction in Monastir. These events did not result in civilian casualties.<\/p>\n
Given the threat of terrorism and kidnappings, exercise increased caution, including near tourist facilities, and particularly in the Greater South (south of the towns of Tozeur and Gabes), including Djerba, in areas near the border with Libya and Algeria, the Mount Chaambi National Park including the regions of Le Kef, Jendouba and Beja (see regional advisory). Regularly review your security practices and remain alert to the changing situation.<\/p>\n
Reports of petty crime, including theft, pickpocketing, purse snatching and scams, are much more frequent since the revolution. Watch out for pickpockets in public places and tourist areas. Ensure personal belongings are secure and carry photocopies of identification documents and your passport at all times. Store originals in a safe place.<\/p>\n
Women travelling alone may be subject to certain forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Please consult our publication entitled Her Own Way: A Woman’s Guide to Safe and Successful Travel<\/a> for safe travel advice specifically for women.<\/p>\n Cases of young Tunisian men pursuing marriage with older Canadian women for financial gain or in order to gain entry to Canada have been reported in coastal resorts. See our Overseas Fraud<\/a> page for more information on scams abroad.<\/p>\n Carefully plan any travel in the southern regions of Tunisia and along the Libyan and Algerian borders, as regional tensions increase the risk of terrorism or exposure to other disturbances.<\/p>\n Remain vigilant because of the risk of crime, political demonstrations and road blocks in these regions, which have led to confrontations.<\/p>\n While the borders with Algeria and Libya are open, they may close on short notice. Consult with local authorities for the latest security information. We strongly encourage you to register through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service<\/a>, monitor local news reports, stay well informed and consult the Travel Advice for these two countries prior to departure.<\/p>\n Driving can be dangerous, particularly after dark. Traffic signs and signals are routinely ignored. Be especially cautious as cars rarely stop at pedestrian crosswalks or stoplights. Motorists sometimes drive on the wrong side of the road and ignore priority lanes. Bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles often operate without sufficient lights and reflectors, and regularly dart in and out of traffic. Pedestrians compound the problem by dodging traffic and ignoring vehicles. Police officers frequently stop cars for inspection, especially rental cars.<\/p>\n Taxis are available but may be scarce in major cities at peak hours.<\/p>\n Buses are crowded.<\/p>\n Rail service is generally safe, fast and efficient.<\/p>\n Consult our Transportation Safety<\/a> page in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.<\/p>\n Avoid the crowds that can form at soccer matches as such events have sometimes led to incidents of violence.<\/p>\n Despite the ongoing political transition, the security situation remains fragile. There has been a notable increase in the number of violent acts committed by extremists since the beginning of the year. Although these excesses are widely condemned by the authorities, enforcing the law does not always seem possible, which makes it difficult at times to restore order. <\/p>\n You should be accompanied by a guide on your travels or use a guide to help plan your travel.<\/p>\n A state of emergency remains in effect in Tunisia and travelers should be aware that local curfews could be imposed at any time in any region.<\/p>","entry-exit":" It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. Canadian consular officials cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet entry requirements. The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Tunisian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia<\/a> and its consulates<\/a> for up-to-date information.<\/p>\n Official (special and diplomatic) passport holders must consult the Official Travel<\/a> page, as they may be subject to different entry requirements.<\/p>\n Canadians must present a passport<\/a> to visit Tunisia, which must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from Tunisia.<\/p>\n Tourist visa: Not required Canadians who intend to stay in Tunisia for more than three months should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in Ottawa for information about visa, work permit or temporary resident status regulations prior to their departure. In Tunisia, you must report to the police station or the Ministry of the Interior.<\/p>\n Children need special documentation to visit certain countries. Please consult our Children<\/a> page for more information.<\/p>\n Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before allowing entry. Consult the World Health Organization’s country list<\/a> to obtain information on this country’s requirements.<\/p>","health":" Be sure that your routine vaccines<\/a> are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.<\/p> You may be at risk for these vaccine-preventable diseases while travelling in this country. Talk to your travel health provider about which ones are right for you.<\/p> \n\tHepatitis A<\/a> is a disease of the liver spread by contaminated food or water. All those travelling to regions with a risk of hepatitis A infection should get vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tHepatitis B<\/a> is a disease of the liver spread through blood or other bodily fluids. Travellers who may be exposed (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment or occupational exposure) should get vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tSeasonal influenza<\/a> occurs worldwide. The flu season usually runs from November to April in the northern hemisphere, between April and October in the southern hemisphere and year round in the tropics. Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus spread from person to person when they cough or sneeze or through personal contact with unwashed hands. Get the flu shot.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tMeasles occurs worldwide but is a common disease in developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. Measles<\/a> is a highly contagious disease. Be sure your vaccination against measles is up-to-date regardless of the travel destination. \n\tRabies<\/a> is a disease that attacks the central nervous system spread to humans through a bite, scratch or lick from a rabid animal. Vaccination should be considered for travellers going to areas where rabies exists and who have a high risk of exposure (i.e., close contact with animals, occupational risk, and children).<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tTyphoid<\/a> is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among travellers going to rural areas, visiting friends and relatives, or with weakened immune systems. Travellers visiting regions with typhoid risk, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation should consider getting vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> Yellow fever is a disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito.<\/p> Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.<\/p>Fraud<\/h3>\n
Borders<\/h3>\n
Transportation<\/h3>\n
Soccer games<\/h3>\n
General safety information<\/h3>\n
Passport<\/h3>\n
Visas<\/h3>\n
Business visa: Not required
Student visa: Not required<\/p>\nExtended stays<\/h3>\n
Children and travel<\/h3>\n
Yellow fever<\/h3>\n
Vaccines<\/summary>
Routine Vaccines<\/h3>
Vaccines to Consider<\/h3>
Hepatitis A<\/summary>
Hepatitis B<\/summary>
Influenza<\/summary>
Measles<\/summary>
\n\t <\/p>\n<\/details>Rabies<\/summary>
Typhoid<\/summary>
Yellow Fever Vaccination<\/h3>