The safety of UQ travellers is a priority for the University. Bali’s Mount Agung volcano has been active since September 2017 which has caused major travel disruptions.
In November 2017, the decision was made by the University to place a suspension on all travel to Bali due to the ongoing threat of potentially disruptive and dangerous volcanic activity.
The volcanic activity in Bali has decreased significantly since the end of 2017, however Mount Agung remains at the second highest alert level (standby) according to the Indonesian authorities.
The University understands there may be a requirement to travel to Bali to conduct UQ business and research. As of Friday 1 June 2018 the travel suspension to Bali will be removed and the travel booking and approval process are to be treated as normal in line with the University Travel Policy and Procedure.
There continues to be restrictions on the nature and extent of travel insurance available for journeys to areas with known volcanic activity.
As both Mt Sinabung (Sumatra) and Mt Agung (Bali) have recently erupted these are considered by UQ’s Travel Insurance provider (Chubb Insurance) as known events. This means that the UQ Travel Insurance will treat any claims related to volcanic activity from travel booked after 16 January 2018 as “foreseen” and therefore NOT covered under UQ’s corporate travel insurance policy. Nonetheless, if travel is still undertaken, and a loss which would normally trigger the insurance policy occurs, a claim should still be submitted for consideration.
Losses not associated with these volcanoes will still be considered under UQ’s corporate travel insurance policy in the normal way.
For more information regarding travel insurance please contact UQ Insurance Services.
UQ travellers planning to travel to Bali can contact Campus Travel for assistance with travel plans.
Volcanoes
Indonesia's active volcanoes can erupt at any time and cause widespread loss of life and destruction. Volcanic ash can cause breathing difficulties, particularly for people with chronic respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.
Alert levels can be raised and evacuations ordered at short notice. Follow the instructions and advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. Take official warnings seriously.
Mount Agung on Bali has shown increased volcanic activity since late-September 2017 and began small scale eruptions in late November 2017. Ash from the volcano disrupted flights and airport operations. There is an exclusion zone around the crater which can change at short notice. Contact your travel insurance provider directly to ask if your policy is affected by the Mount Agung volcanic activity.
Examples:
- Mount Rinjani, on Lombok (near Bali), has erupted numerous times in recent years causing flight disruptions in Bali and Lombok.
- Mount Sinabung, North Sumatra, has been erupting frequently since October 2013, causing deaths, injuries from pyroclastic flows, eruption-related illnesses and prolonged evacuations of nearby communities. An exclusion zone remains in place around the mountain.
If you're planning to travel to an area near an active volcano, check:
- Indonesian Directorate of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation's daily updates on status and alert levels (Bahasa Indonesian only)
- MAGMA Indonesia
- National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB)
- Smithsonian Institution's weekly updates.
Travel disruption due to volcanoes
Volcanic activity can disrupt domestic and international flights, including for Bali.
- Make contingency plans in case you're affected.
- Ensure you have access to enough money.
- Contact your airline for assistance.
More information: Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (Bureau of Meteorology, Darwin).
Is this covered by UQ travel insurance?
As both Mt Sinabung (Sumatra) and Mt Agung (Bali) have recently erupted. This means that UQ’s Travel Insurance provider (Chubb Insurance) will treat any claims related to volcanic activity from travel booked after 16 January 2018 as “foreseen” and therefore not covered under UQ’s corporate travel insurance policy. Nonetheless, if travel is still undertaken, and a loss which would normally trigger the insurance policy occurs, a claim should still be submitted for consideration.
Losses not associated with these volcanoes will still be considered under UQ’s corporate travel insurance policy in the normal way.
For insurance queries contact Insurance Services:
Email: insurance@uq.edu.au
Phone: +61 7 3365 3075
Travel emergency 24/7 contact
Chubb Assistance phone +61 2 8907 5995 and quote UQ policy number 01PP529201. Reverse phone charge is available.
Campus Travel can be contacted 24/7, 365 days a year.
Please contact the Campus Travel team if you are affected and are supposed to be travelling to Indonesia in the next 10 days.
Number: +61 7 3393 8855 (calls from overseas)
Number: 1300 662 703 (calls from within Australia)
Email: uq@campustravel.com.au
Refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for more information:
