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July 2, 2021
2-July-2021

ASIA

Indonesia (Security threat level – 4): On 1 July 2021, President Joko Widodo announced that coronavirus-related restrictions will be enforced on the islands of Java — where the capital Jakarta is located — and Bali during 3-20 July. Under the order, venues such as shopping centers, places of worship and amusement parks must close. Employees of nonessential businesses are required to work from home, while businesses such as banks may operate at 50% capacity. Essential businesses, including hospitals, grocery stores, and those in the energy sector, may operate at full capacity.

CARIBBEAN

Caribbean: At approximately 0830 local time (1230 UTC) on 2 July 2021, Tropical Storm Elsa strengthened into a hurricane. As of that time, Hurricane Elsa was located approximately 65 km (40 mi) west of Barbados and was moving in a west-northwesterly direction at a speed of 44 kph (28 mph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. At that point, Elsa had maximum sustained winds of 120 kph, with higher gusts. On its current forecast path, the hurricane will pass near or over parts of the Windward Islands or the southern Leeward Islands later in the morning hours and across the eastern Caribbean Sea by the nighttime hours. Elsa is then anticipated to move near the southern coast of Hispaniola island on 3 July before tracking near Jamaica and parts of eastern Cuba the following day. Rainfall of between 75-150 mm (3-6 in), with isolated maximums of more than 200 mm, remains in the forecast on 2 July across the Windward and southern Leeward Islands, including Barbados. In addition, 25-75 mm of rain, with isolated maximums of more than 125 mm, is expected in Puerto Rico by 3 July. Meanwhile, parts of southern Hispaniola island and Jamaica are forecast to receive 100-200 mm of rain, with isolated maximums of more than 300 mm, from 3-4 July. The heavy rainfall could cause flash floods and landslides in the affected areas.

In anticipation of storm-related disruptions, Caribbean Airlines canceled some of its flights scheduled to operate through airports in the region on 2 July. Several flights to Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines were canceled due to the inclement weather. Airline officials have warned that additional flight cancellations are possible if weather conditions continue to worsen as the hurricane moves through the region. In Barbados, there have been reports of downed trees and minor storm-related damage, particularly in the southern part of the island. Residents in the town of St. George are experiencing electricity and water outages. Meanwhile, authorities in St. Vincent have established 94 shelters and advised people to evacuate their homes in low-lying areas due to the threat of flooding and mudslides. Approximately 2,000 people in St. Vincent remain in temporary shelters following the eruptions of La Soufrière volcano in early April. Thus far, there have been no reports of significant injuries or deaths associated with the hurricane.

A Hurricane Warning is currently in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, whereas a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Martinique, coastal areas of Haiti and the southern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to the Haiti-Dominican Republic border. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for southern areas of Haiti from Port-au Prince to the southern border with the Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Dominica, Grenada and nearby islands, Saba and Sint Eustatius, and Jamaica.

EUROPE

France (Security threat level – 3): As of 2 July 2021, members of three major trade unions in France are observing strikes at Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG/CDG) and Paris Orly Airport (LFPO/ORY). While there have been no reports of significant flight disruptions at either airport, protesting workers briefly blocked access to Charles de Gaulle Airport’s Terminal 2 earlier in the day. Airport officials had warned of potential road obstructions and delays to luggage check-in procedures. The National Union of Autonomous Trade Unions launched its labor action, which is slated to continue through 5 July, the previous day. Meanwhile, members of the General Confederation of Labor and the French Confederation of Management – General Confederation of Executives are observing the labor actions from 2-5 July. Groupe ADP — the firm that operates the two airports in Paris — has warned that flight delays are possible during the strikes.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Sudan (Security threat level – 5): On 30 June 2021, protests broke out across several cities in Sudan to denounce the removal of government subsidies on petroleum products. In the capital Khartoum, protesters gathered in the city center near the Ministry of Finance building, where they set fire to tires and other debris in nearby streets. Protesters clashed with police officers in several parts of the city. During the clashes, protesters threw stones at the officers, and in some instances, physically assaulted security personnel, who used tear gas in an attempt to dispel the demonstrators. Authorities estimate that at least 50 police officers and dozens of civilians were injured in the clashes in Khartoum. In the adjacent city of Omdurman, located on the western banks of the Nile River, security personnel used tear gas to disperse protesters who were attempting to cross the White Nile bridge in order to join protests in Khartoum. In Kassala — the capital of Kassala state, located near the Eritrean border — protesters demanded an inquiry into the killings during anti-government demonstrations that ousted former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The protests occurred a day after the International Monetary Fund approved a 2.5 billion U.S. dollar loan and debt relief agreement that required the Sudanese government to end fuel subsidies, almost doubling the price of fuel overnight.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Niger (Security threat level – 5): On 1 July 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows: “The U.S. Embassy in Niamey has prohibited U.S. government personnel from all recreational activities in the vicinity of the Pilule riverfront area (aka “The Beach”) in Niamey without armed escort due to the security situation in the area. Dining at Le Sloughi Restaurant, located nearby, also carries this requirement. U.S. citizens in Niger are encouraged to avoid the area.”