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April 1, 2021
1-April-2021

AMERICAS

Puerto Rico (Security threat level – 2): On 1 April 2021, Puerto Rican authorities reopened Rafael Hernández International Airport (TJBQ/BQN), located in the eastern coastal city of Aguadilla, and Mercedita International Airport (TJPS/PSE), located in the southern central city of Ponce, to commercial passenger flights. Authorities suspended commercial flights in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and had since allowed only cargo, chartered and private aircraft to operate through the airports. Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (TJSJ/SJU), located in the capital San Juan, had served as the only hub for commercial flights on the island since March 2020.

United States (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 1730 local time on 31 March 2021 (0030 UTC on 1 April), a gunman opened fire at an office building in the city of Orange, California, located approximately 30 mi (50 km) southeast of Los Angeles. According to a local police official, the shooting started in one of the suites of the two-story complex and proceeded to the courtyard area. Police officers responding to the shooting exchanged gunfire with the assailant. Four people were killed and another suffered critical gunshot wounds. The gunman was also critically wounded and transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Authorities have launched a probe to determine a possible motive for the shooting.

ASIA

Cambodia (Security threat level – 3): On 1 April 2021, the governor of Phnom Penh, the capital, placed the city under a 14-day lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19. Under the lockdown measures, security personnel will enforce a nighttime curfew from 2000 to 0500 local time (1300 to 2200 UTC) until 14 April. Additionally, nonessential businesses, such as restaurants, will be forced to close and all gatherings will be banned. Exceptions to the lockdown measures include medical emergency situations, traveling to or from work and acquiring food items. The lockdown was imposed after Prime Minister Hun Sen on 31 March issued a sub-decree that enacted several measures for areas considered high-risk for COVID-19 infections. The sub-decree also gave provincial officials the authority to impose coronavirus-related restrictions.

EUROPE

France (Security threat level – 3): On 31 March 2021, President Emmanuel Macron announced that partial lockdown orders currently in effect in select areas will be expanded nationwide for four weeks beginning on 3 April due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases. Under the rules, nonessential business are required to close, nonessential interregional travel is banned and individuals traveling outside of a 10-km (6-mi) radius from their homes must have written permission from authorities. An existing nationwide nightly curfew during 1900-0600 local time (1700-0400 UTC) will also remain in effect. Private gatherings are allowed, but Macron advised against social gatherings overall. Additionally, schools will transition to distance learning during the week of 5-9 April, and all schools will be closed from 12-25 April.

Germany (Security threat level – 3): Beginning on 2 April 2021, a coronavirus-related nightly curfew during 2100-0500 local time (1900-0300 UTC) will be in effect in Hamburg until at least 18 April. Exceptions will exist for anyone traveling for work, for delivery drivers and for individuals who are exercising. Police officers will be deployed in larger numbers during curfew hours, and may stop and question violators of the order.

Russia / Ukraine (Security threat levels – 3 / 4): On 31 March 2021, the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) raised its alert level from “possible crisis” to “potential imminent crisis” — the highest level of alert — following reports of increased Russian military activity near the border with Ukraine and the disputed territory of Crimea. Between 28 and 31 March, videos emerged on social media of the Russian military moving artillery, armored vehicles and heavy trucks by train to areas near Crimea. Independent experts have geolocated the footage, documenting military movements in the Russian cities of Fedosiya, Simferpol, the Kerch Strait, Rostov-on Don and Morozovsk. Russian media is reporting that the Russian Ministry of Defense has requisitioned as many as 16,000 railway flat cars, indicating likely deployments of additional armored vehicles. Russian officials for their part stated that the deployment of troops should not be cause for concern, claiming the recent movements are routine and are a response to increased NATO military activity. Ukrainian officials allege that Russia-supported separatists have engaged in what they refer to as “systematic” ceasefire violations in recent days and weeks.

Analyst Comment: Russia’s ongoing military activity strongly indicates that the deployments are outside normal patterns of military exercises. Organizations with assets and personnel in Ukraine should closely monitor associated forthcoming developments.

Sweden (Security threat level – 2): On 31 March 2021, authorities extended select nationwide coronavirus-related restrictions until 3 May due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. Under the restrictions, restaurants, bars and cafes must close by 2030 local time (1830 UTC) nightly, and no more than four people per group are allowed inside such establishments. Additionally, shops are required to limit occupancy capacity to no more than one customer per 10 sq. m (105 sq. ft).

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Liberia (Security threat level – 4): On 1 April 2021, President George Weah imposed a 0600-1800 local time/UTC curfew on the coastal county of Maryland, located approximately 600 km (375 mi) east of the capital Monrovia, after approximately 90 inmates escaped from a penitentiary amid violent demonstrations. Thousands of residents of Maryland county, especially women, have been protesting for several days over alleged ritual killings of young people. On the previous day, during a protest in Harper city near the border with Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrators broke into a prison compound in search of an alleged murderer of a motorcyclist, resulting in the escape of the prison’s inmates, according to local police officials. There have been no reports of injuries. Police officers are searching for the escaped inmates.

Mauritius (Security threat level – 1): On 1 April 2021, the government extended the existing coronavirus-related lockdown by one month and announced that police officers will enforce a new Temporary Restrictions Movement Order. Under the measures, public gatherings are banned; individuals 18 years old or younger are not permitted to leave their residences except for educational tests or medical emergencies; leaving residences for walks or physical exercise is not permitted; no businesses except for pharmacies and gas stations are permitted to open on Sundays; and civil marriages may have a maximum of 10 guests. All individuals are also required to wear face masks; the fine for failing to do so is up to 500,000 Mauritian rupees (12,320 U.S. dollars).

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

South Sudan (Security threat level – 5): On 31 March 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Juba issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:

“Location: Border region of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

“Event: Armed groups may attack or kidnap foreign nationals in the border region of South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We advise U.S. citizens to not travel to the area of the South Sudan/DRC border.”

The full text of the alert is available here.