The text contains five sections, A - E.
Which section contains the following information?
Safety and Security
A. Civil Unrest/Political Tension
You should avoid any large public gatherings or political demonstrations as they may turn violent.
B. Crime
Petty crime targeting foreigners, including pickpocketing, mugging and theft, occurs throughout Turkmenistan particularly on trains (commonly on overnight rail services) and in markets.
Travellers have been robbed when using unofficial taxis. You should seek assistance from staff at hotels, restaurants or places of entertainment to book a licensed taxi.
Crime levels are higher at night. You should avoid walking alone and avoid using public transport after dark. Women can be subjected to verbal and physical harassment. You should take care when travelling alone and pay attention to your immediate surroundings.
There have been reports of harassment, mistreatment and extortion by police or other local officials.
Gangs of bandits are known to operate in the south-east area of the country.
C. Local Travel
Identity checks are common and you should carry identification with you at all times and ensure all travel documents are in order. Foreigners may be subject to increased security checks and scrutiny from internal security, including questioning and car and home searches.
The regions bordering Afghanistan, Iran and Uzbekistan, areas of the Caspian coast and Dashoguz are designated restricted zones and are closed to foreigners without government permission.
Road conditions and driving standards are poor. Roads can be particularly hazardous in winter and spring, when avalanches and landslides occur. Driving at night is also particularly dangerous. Access to service stations can be limited in rural areas.
Arbitrary police checks and security checkpoints on roads are common. You should carry a copy of your passport and visa at all times.
Rail travel can be unreliable and dangerous due to criminal activity. If you are travelling overnight, store your valuables in a safe place. Do not leave the compartment unattended and secure the door from the inside.
D. Airline Safety
Airline and air charter safety and maintenance standards vary throughout the world. It is not known whether maintenance procedures and safety standards on aircraft used on internal flights are always properly observed or whether passengers are covered by airline insurance.
E. Money and Valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. Turkmenistan is predominantly a cash economy and travellers’ cheques are only accepted in some major hotels. There are no ATMs in Turkmenistan. The official currency is the Turkmen Manat (TMM). US dollars are readily exchanged. To avoid difficulties, ensure banknotes are in good condition. You should exchange any unspent local currency prior to departure as you may not be able to exchange it outside Turkmenistan.
| A | B | C | D | E | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | random security checks made by the police | |||||
| 2 | areas of the country that foreign visitors are not allowed to enter | |||||
| 3 | a caution about your banknotes | |||||
| 4 | using buses and trains at night | |||||
| 5 | advice about crowded areas | |||||
| 6 | advice about taking a cab | |||||
| 7 | the possibility of having your car searched |