United States (Security threat level – 2): On 28 December 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a presidential proclamation, rescinding the current entry ban on most foreigners who have visited any of the following eight southern African countries within the previous 14 days: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The entry ban — imposed on 29 November in response to the omicron variant of COVID-19 — will be annulled as of 0001 Eastern Standard Time (0501 UTC) on 31 December. The full text of the presidential proclamation, which comprises information regarding entry requirements for inbound international air travelers, is available here.
India (Security threat level – 3): As of 29 December 2021, doctors affiliated with the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) are continuing their ongoing strike in the capital New Delhi over government delays in allocating new postgraduate medical students to universities. Additionally, doctors from a number of medical facilities, including Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya and Northern Railway Central Hospital, announced their participation in the strike, which disrupted some services at those facilities. The primary facilities that continue to be affected by the strike and accompanying protests are Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital. Approximately 1,000 protesters remain gathered outside Safdarjung Hospital under a heavy security presence.
Saudi Arabia (Security threat level – 3): On 29 December 2021, authorities reinstated a requirement to wear face masks and maintain social distancing in all indoor and outdoor public areas — effective as of 0700 local time (0400 UTC) on 30 December — amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, as of 1 February 2022, individuals will be required to receive a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine eight months after their second dose of a vaccine in order to be considered fully immunized. Full immunization is required in the country for air travel, to ride on public transportation, to attend large events, and to enter most businesses and government offices.
Moldova (Security threat level – 3): On 28 December 2021, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for Moldova, which reads in part as follows: “On 22 December 2021 the Ministry of Health established a new set of rules for entering Moldova, that will enter into force on 27 December 2021. People coming from red list countries, or who have transited a red list country in the last 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status, must present a negative PCR test, taken 72 hours before entering the country. The UK is currently on the red list of countries. Persons arriving from non-red list countries will be able to enter Moldova by showing at least one of the following documents:
“The red list of countries can be found here. ”
Pakistan (Security threat level – 5): On 29 December 2021, the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi issued a Security Alert regarding New Year’s Eve celebrations that reads in part as follows: “As the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration approaches, we remind U.S. citizens the holiday is often associated with an increase in traffic restrictions, increased vehicular/pedestrian traffic, and a large security presence throughout Karachi. In addition, the custom of local “celebratory gunfire” to ring in the New Year takes place in and around the city. Multiple individuals are injured in accidents related to this practice every year. The Government of Sindh has also placed restrictions on gatherings of five or more people after 9:00 p.m. to minimize risks of these activities.
“U.S. government personnel in Karachi are required to remain indoors between the hours of 11:00 p.m. on December 31, 2021, and 4:00 a.m. on January 1, 2022, to limit exposure to celebratory gunfire.”
Sudan (Security threat level – 5): On 29 December 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows: “Demonstrations are expected to take place on December 30 in Khartoum and potentially in other states. Exact locations and times are unknown.
“Embassy personnel have been instructed to work from home where feasible.”
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