AMERICAS

Colombia (Security threat level – 4): On the morning of 8 February 2022, heavy rains caused a landslide on Avenida del Río in the La Esneda neighborhood of the western city of Pereira. The landslide buried several homes. At least six people were killed and 20 others were injured. Emergency personnel deployed to the scene and are conducting rescue operations.

ASIA

China (Security threat level – 3): On 7 February 2022, authorities imposed a lockdown that will remain in effect until further notice in the city of Baise, located in the southwestern Guangxi region near China’s border with Vietnam, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. Authorities have suspended all transportation services, including flights at Baise Airport (ZGBS/AEB), and roadblocks are in place at all points of entry and exit to the city. All gatherings are prohibited, and only providers of essential goods and services, such as grocery stores, hospitals and pharmacies, are allowed to remain open.

EUROPE

Netherlands (Security threat level – 2): As of 8 February 2022, Dutch officials have designated several countries as “very high-risk” due to concerns regarding COVID-19 transmission rates. The newly designated very high-risk countries include Albania, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Guyana, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Panama, Serbia, Suriname, Tunisia and Turkey. Inbound travelers from the aforementioned countries will now be required to provide a negative result from a coronavirus PCR test taken within 48 hours before arrival or from an antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure for the Netherlands. Arriving foreign nationals will also be required to provide proof of a COVID-19 booster dose taken at least seven days prior to arrival in order to forego a five-day quarantine period.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Albania (Security threat level – 3): On 8 February 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Tirana issued a Security Alert regarding a new 90-day limit for foreign nationals entering Albania, which reads in part as follows: “The U.S. Embassy has been in discussions with relevant Albanian immigration and border authorities to clarify Albania’s new Law 79/2021 that relates to the length of time foreigners can stay in Albania. It is currently our understanding that Americans who entered Albania before January 7, 2022, will be subject to the previous law and that the 90-day limit will not be applied to them. Those who entered Albania on January 7, 2022, or later are subject to the new 90-day limit. U.S. citizens who arrived on or after January 7, 2022, and plan to stay longer than 90 days should apply for an extension with the immigration authorities, preferably within 30 days of entry. Please note that this is general guidance only and that individual circumstances may warrant a different application of Albanian immigration law. U.S. citizens should consult with the Albanian immigration and border officials for definitive answers in regards to a specific case. The U.S. Embassy continues to seek further clarification and will provide updates as we receive more information.”