AMERICAS

Haiti (Security threat level – 4): On 16 July 2021, Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph announced that the funeral for President Jovenel Moïse will take place on 23 July in the northern city of Cap-Haïtien. Unrest and demonstrations may occur in conjunction with the funeral.

ASIA

China (Security threat level – 3): As of 1700 local time (0900 UTC) on 19 July 2021, Tropical Storm Cempaka was located approximately 190 km (118 mi) southwest of Hong Kong and was moving west-northwest at 4 kph (2 mi), according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At that time, Cempaka was generating maximum sustained winds of 93 kph, with gusts of up to 120 kph. On its current forecast path, the storm is expected to make landfall in southwestern Guangdong province near Yangjiang by 20 July before shifting west toward Maoming and Zhanjiang by 21 and 22 July. Authorities have warned of strong winds and potentially heavy rainfall in areas within Cempaka’s path.

Vietnam (Security threat level – 3): On 18 July 2021, authorities in the capital Hanoi put the country’s entire southern region under a two-week lockdown due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Under the restrictions, non-essential businesses are required to close, while residents are encouraged to stay home except for essential purposes, such as for work, to seek urgent medical care,  or to purchase food or medicine. Additionally, bus and rail passenger services to and from cities and provinces in southern Vietnam have been suspended. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s aviation authorities ordered domestic airlines to suspend flights to and from southern Vietnam from 19 July until 1 August.

EUROPE

Greece (Security threat level – 3): On 17 July 2021, authorities imposed new restrictions — in effect until 26 July — on the island of Mykonos due to a surge in cases of COVID-19. Under the restrictions, a nightly 0100-0600 local time (2200-0300 UTC) curfew is in effect, and music is banned in all bars, cafes and restaurants.

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Israel (Security threat level – 4): On 18 July 2021, Palestinians and Israeli security personnel engaged in skirmishes across Jerusalem’s Old City after Israeli authorities used rubber bullets and other less-lethal munitions to forcibly clear the al-Aqsa Mosque compound of Palestinians and allowed approximately 1,600 Jews to pray inside the compound to commemorate Tisha B’av, an annual fast in memory of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Concurrently, Palestinians threw rocks at passing vehicles. Five people were injured during the altercations.

Analyst Comment: In general, non-Muslims are allowed to enter the al-Aqsa Mosque compound as tourists and not typically allowed to pray.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

China / United States (Security threat levels – 3 / 2): On 16 July 2021, the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, Homeland Security and the Treasury issued a joint advisory regarding potential risks to businesses operating in Hong Kong due to a national security law passed in mid-2020 as well as U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese officials involved with implementing the law. The advisory highlights the four following primary risk categories: risks associated with the national security legislation, data security, Hong Kong government transparency, and risks associated with business dealings that involve sanctioned individuals. The full text of the advisory is available here.