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July 15, 2021
15-July-2021

ASIA

Turkmenistan (Security threat level – 3): On 14 July 2021, authorities imposed a lockdown in the northeastern region of Lebap until 17 July in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. Under the restrictions, all cafes, markets and restaurants are closed, and travel is banned between the districts of Deinau, Farab, Hojambaz, Seidi and Turkmenabad. Police officers have erected roadblocks on roads and bridges to enforce the restrictions.

Vietnam (Security threat level – 3): According to state media reports from 14 July 2021, the Ministry of Health has revised coronavirus-related quarantine measures for international travelers arriving to the country, lowering the requirement to 14 days from the previous stipulation of 21 days. Following the 14-day quarantine period, travelers will be subject to an additional 14-day period of home isolation and medical observation. The measure also applies to anyone who is required to isolate following contact with individuals infected with COVID-19.

AUSTRALASIA

Australia (Security threat level – 2): On 14 July 2021, the premier of New South Wales state extended ongoing lockdown restrictions in the Greater Sydney area – including Blue Mountains, the Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour – until 30 July due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. Only essential travel for work, education, shopping or medical care is permitted during the lockdown. Bars and restaurants remain closed, and face masks are mandatory in public spaces.

EUROPE

Belgium / Germany / Luxembourg / Netherlands (Security threat levels – 3 / 3 / 1 / 2): As of 15 July 2021, heavy rainfall continues to cause severe flooding in western Germany, Belgium and the southern region of the Netherlands. Record rainfall has caused multiple rivers in the region to overflow, severely damaging nearby communities. In Germany, the heaviest flooding is occurring in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia and has left 200,000 households without electricity. Emergency services personnel in the town of Adenau, located in the Eifel district in Rhineland-Palatinate state, are engaged in rescue operations after six homes collapsed amid heavy flooding in the region; more than 25 other homes in the area are unstable and at risk of collapsing. In the municipality of Altenahr in Ahrweiler district, located about 25 km south of the city of Bonn, residents have climbed atop the roofs of their homes and are waiting to be rescued amid heavy flooding in the city center and in rural areas. City officials have closed all bridges in the urban area of Bad Neuenahr, Ahrweiler district, to the public. Authorities in the city of Wuppurtal, located on the outskirts of Düsseldorf, have suspended all buses and rail transportation. German authorities report that the flooding has resulted in the deaths of at least 33 people, including 19 from the Ahrweiler district, with dozens more missing.

In Belgium, high flood waters have been reported in several municipalities in the southern Wallonia region, including in the city of Liège where many residents had to be evacuated, and in the town of Chaufontaine, located in Liège province, where approximately 2,000 people evacuated their homes. Belgian authorities warn that tap water in most areas of Belgium is not safe for consumption, as the flooding has impacted water treatment facilities. Rail services have been suspended in Belgium’s southern region due to flooding. The bodies of four individuals were found in the district of Verviers, while at least two people are confirmed dead in the city of Liège.

In Luxembourg, firefighters rescued dozens of residents from their homes in the Marne region and near the border with Germany. In the Netherlands, the southern province of Limburg is experiencing severe flooding, which has led to several vehicles being swept away and a partial bridge collapse in the city of Valkenburg.

France (Security threat level – 3): On 14 July 2021, thousands of people took to the streets in several French cities to protest new COVID-19 requirements, including mandatory vaccinations for health care workers and vaccine passports to enter public places throughout France. Police officers arrested an unknown number of individuals in several cities as protesters clashed with police officers and damaged local businesses. In Paris, an estimated 2,200 people marched in the streets near the Champs-Elysees as the yearly Bastille Day parade was ongoing nearby. Police officers used tear gas to disperse large crowds in several areas of Paris. Demonstrations took place in several cities, including Bordeaux, Montpelier, Nantes, and Toulouse.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

South Africa (Security threat level – 4): On 15 July 2021, the army began deploying 25,000 additional troops to areas affected by the recent riots over the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma, including Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, the primary sites of unrest. Likewise, the South African National Defense Force engaged its 12,000-member reserve force, moving troops and equipment to the areas, while the police minister stated that police officers have been stationed at key institutions in KwaZulu-Natal, including airports and power stations. The increase in security forces has coincided with improved conditions following a week of unrest, although small-scale attacks did occur in Durban — located in KwaZulu-Natal province — earlier in the day on 15 July.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Afghanistan (Security threat level – 5): On 15 July 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:

“Historically violence has increased in Afghanistan around the Eid-ul-Qurban holiday, which this year will fall during the third week of July. Therefore, U.S. citizens are reminded to exercise caution in places where people are known to congregate, including public celebrations, markets, places of worship, and banks.”

The full text of the alert can be read here.

Norway (Security threat level – 2): On 14 July 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Oslo issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows:

“Event: The U.S. Embassy has been advised of demonstrations taking place at the Embassy of Cuba in Oslo, located at Oscars Gate 78B, on Wednesday, July 14 through Sunday, July 18.

“Demonstrations are expected to continue throughout the weekend and may increase in size. Previous demonstrations have been peaceful, and Oslo Police will be present.

“Although most demonstrations in Oslo are coordinated with local police and remain peaceful, please be advised that even demonstrations expected to be non-violent are unpredictable, can quickly turn confrontational, and can escalate into violence. Therefore, please avoid all demonstrators.”