AUSTRALASIA

South Pacific Islands (Security threat level – 1): On 26 January 2022, Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa extended an existing nationwide coronavirus-related lockdown until 1800 local time (0500 UTC) on 28 January. Residents will be permitted to leave their homes to purchase essential goods and visit banks between 0800 and 1400 local time on 27 January. Individuals who need to leave their homes during the lockdown are required to exercise social distancing, wear face masks, and present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to authorities.

EUROPE

Greece (Security threat level – 2): During the early morning hours of 26 January 2022, an explosion occurred in an unoccupied building at 3 Syngrou Avenue, located near the Temple of the Olympian Zeus in central Athens, the capital. Authorities cordoned off the area after the blast triggered a fire that damaged several adjacent buildings before firefighters were able to bring it under control. At least one person was transported to the hospital due to burn injuries and two others were treated for smoke inhalation from the blaze. Fire department officials later attributed the explosion to a gas leak.

Greece (Security threat level – 2): As of 26 January 2022, efforts to clear roads throughout the capital Athens remain underway after a severe snowstorm on 24 January caused transportation disruptions and power outages. Military personnel were deployed throughout Athens to remove trapped and abandoned vehicles. Meanwhile, bus services resumed during 0600-0730 local time (0400-0530 UTC). Emergency personnel rescued approximately 3,500 people on 25 January who were stranded along highways. As of last report, about 3,000 homes and businesses in the city were without electricity. Additionally, a train crashed near the central town of Livadia amid heavy snowfall, injuring three people. The government has declared a public holiday on 26 January in Athens and other areas affected by the storm, and schools are closed until 28 January.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Burkina Faso (Security threat level – 4): On 25 January 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows: “On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou will be open to the public.

“As of January 24, 2022, there is a mandatory curfew from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am. The Embassy has not received any official indication that the curfew has been lifted.

“American citizens who are scheduled to depart Ouagadougou via commercial flights should contact their airlines for details and arrive at the airport before the set curfew.”

The full text of the alert is available here.