British Virgin Islands (Security threat level – 1): The British Virgin Islands reopened its air borders to foreign nationals on 1 December 2020. All inbound passengers, including residents of the British Virgin Islands, must seek entry approval from the government through the online BVI Portal application. Residents seeking home quarantine must begin the process seven days prior to their arrival. As part of the registration process, travelers must submit negative results of a COVID-19 PCR test taken within five days prior to arrival if coming from countries deemed low risk and within three days prior to arrival if coming from countries deemed high or medium risk. In addition, travelers are required to pay a fee of 175 U.S. dollars, provide travel and health information, and wear a tracking bracelet for at least the first eight days of their stay. Travelers are subject to an additional COVID-19 test upon arrival and those who test positive must quarantine for 14 days at their own expense. Travelers are currently allowed to arrive at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (TUPJ/EIS) only; select seaports are set to resume operations on 8 December. The government maintains a database with details regarding COVID-19 in the territory, which can be viewed here.
United States (Security threat level – 2): On the evening of 2 December 2020, the mayor of Los Angeles issued a stay-at-home order, effective immediately and continuing until at least 20 December. All residents must remain in their homes except to perform essential activities, such as to procure food and medicine, travel to and from the workplace if employed in an essential sector, or to patronize certain nonessential retail establishments that are permitted to remain open. These businesses — which include cafes and restaurants allowed to offer takeout and delivery services only as well as laundromats and hardware stores — must observe the ongoing 2200-0500 local time (0600-1300 UTC) nightly curfew that was instituted in Los Angeles County on 21 November for at least one month. Such establishments are also subject to occupancy restrictions and face mask and social distancing requirements. Violations of the stay-at-home order constitute a misdemeanor offense, which is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment. The full text of the order is available here.
All inbound travelers of more than 16 years of age are required to complete an online travel form prior to entering the city. Those who fail to complete the form may face a fine of up to 500 U.S. dollars.
India / Sri Lanka (Security threat levels – 3 / 4): As of 0900 UTC on 3 December 2020, Tropical Cyclone Burevi was located approximately 370 km (230 mi) east-southeast of the city of Cochin, India, and was moving west-northwest at 17 kph (11 mph), according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At that time, Burevi was generating maximum sustained winds of 65 kph, with gusts of up to 83 kph. On its current path, the cyclone is expected to strengthen slightly before making landfall near or over the island of Pamban in Tamil Nadu state overnight on 3-4 December. Burevi is then expected to continue moving westward over Tamil Nadu and Kerala states — passing near but to the south of Cochin — before entering the Laccadive Sea on 5 December, where it is forecast to affect portions of the Lakshadweep archipelago. Officials plan to suspend operations at Kerala’s Trivandrum International Airport (VOTV/TRV) from 1000-1800 local time (0430-1230 UTC) on 4 December. Authorities have issued a red alert for the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and deployed 26 emergency response teams in anticipation of cyclone-related disruptions.
In Sri Lanka, the cyclone caused flash flooding and damage to coastal infrastructure as it passed over Northern province on 2 December. Sri Lankan authorities reported that at least four people were injured and one person went missing, while more than 190 homes and other structures were damaged.
Greece / Italy / Latvia (Security threat levels – 3 / 3 / 2): On 3 December 2020, the Greek government extended an ongoing countrywide lockdown imposed to stem the spread of COVID-19 until at least 14 December. During the lockdown, which was previously set to expire on 7 December, interregional travel is banned, nonessential businesses must suspend operations, and residents must send an SMS message to a government number (13033) in order to receive authorization to leave their homes for essential purposes. Additionally, a countrywide nightly curfew is in effect from 2100 to 0500 local time (1900-0300 UTC). Exceptions only apply to individuals commuting to and from work, traveling for medical reasons, or walking a pet outside their homes.
Italian authorities have announced plans to implement a number of additional restrictions on movement and gatherings intended to limit the spread of COVID-19 during the upcoming holidays. Beginning on 21 December, all nonessential inter-regional travel will be prohibited through at least 6 January 2021, while inter-city movements will be prohibited on 25 and 26 December and on 1 January 2021. Additional restrictions — including the extension of the nationwide 2200-0500 local time (2100-0400 UTC) nightly curfew, set to expire on 4 December — and further limits on social gatherings as well as other measures are expected to be announced imminently.
On 2 December the Latvian government extended the ongoing state of emergency until at least 11 January 2021. The emergency order was set to expire on 6 December before being extended. Furthermore, the U.S. Embassy in Riga notes that current restrictions on businesses, travel and social gatherings are set to be tightened as of 3 December, including nightly business closures and the requirement for a face mask to be worn in all indoor and outdoor public spaces. Additional information regarding current measures in Latvia is available here.
Iran (Security threat level – 3): On 3 December 2020, the Iranian Coronavirus Task Force lowered the COVID-19 alert level from “red” to “orange” in the capital Tehran and 95 other cities across the country, which allows authorities to relax restrictions in these cities. Effective 5 December, most nonessential businesses will be allowed to reopen, except for schools, universities, beauty salons, zoos, museums and wedding venues. However, a nightly curfew from 2100 to 0400 local time (1730 to 1230 UTC) will be imposed in both “red” and “orange” cities for one week from 5 December through 12 December.
Belgium (Security threat level – 3): On 2 December 2020, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for Belgium regarding coronavirus-related restrictions, which reads in part as follows: “The Belgian Government has announced that strict measures will remain in place across the country until at least 15 January. These include: the closure of restaurants, cafés and bars (except for takeaway service); closure of hairdressers and beauty salons, a curfew from midnight – 5am (note in Brussels and Wallonia the curfew is in place from 10pm – 6am except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when it reverts to the national curfew); and the limitation of close contacts to one person (two contacts if you live alone).
“Shops are allowed to open but shopping must be done individually or with a maximum of one other person, for a maximum of 30 minutes in a store. Teleworking is mandatory. Museums and swimming pools can open from 1 December. Cultural venues, zoos and indoor sports facilities (except for children under 12) are closed. Places of worship are open but services cannot take place.”
Haiti (Security threat level – 4): On 2 December 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a Security Alert regarding increased kidnappings, which reads in part as follows: “As a result of a dramatic increase in kidnapping for ransom cases in Port-au-Prince (14 reported kidnappings in the last 7 days, to include U.S. citizens, U.S. legal permanent residents, and Haitian citizens), the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has limited non-official travel of its direct-hire U.S. citizen staff to the immediate Embassy neighborhood until further notice. The U.S. Embassy warns its citizens against unnecessary travel in the Port-au-Prince area, and urges U.S. citizens to exercise caution while traveling in Port-au-Prince. Please review the Level Four travel advisory for Haiti, which remains in effect.”
Panama (Security threat level – 3): On 2 December 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Panama City issued a Health Alert regarding coronavirus-related restrictions in Panama Oeste province, which reads in part as follows:
“Beginning December 4, movement and alcohol restrictions in Panama Oeste province are changed as follows:
“Movement restrictions remain unchanged in the rest of the country (daily curfew from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.)”
Peru (Security threat level – 3): On 2 December 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Lima issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows: “Location: Pan-American South Highway, Ica
“Event: Protests against the Agricultural Promotion Law have occurred in the Ica region over the last two days and are expected to continue today. Protesters have blocked multiple locations along the Pan-American Highway and at times have become violent. Public transportation from Lima to the Ica and Arequipa regions is suspended.”
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