AMERICAS

Colombia (Security threat level – 4) : On 20 July 2021, protesters returned to the streets of larger cities across the country to mark Colombian Independence Day. In the capital Bogota, thousands of people gathered at the Monument to Heroes and marched in the streets near the city center. According to local media sources, no large-scale instances of looting or rioting occurred in the capital. In the Loma de la Cruz sector in the western city of Cali — the epicenter of the previous nationwide protests — police officers used tear gas to disperse protesters gathered in the streets. At least 19 civilians and 80 police officers were injured in clashes across the country, while at least 25 people were arrested. Additionally, President Ivan Duque’s government presented Congress with an amended version of a previous tax reform bill that had sparked large-scale protests in late April 2021.

ASIA

China (Security threat level – 3): On 21 July 2021, local officials confirmed that approximately 100,000 people have been evacuated from the city of Zhengzhou — the capital of Henan province — due to heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding. Provincial authorities issued the country’s highest weather alert warning as thousands of residents in flood zones were evacuated to emergency shelters. At least 25 people have been reported dead in Zhengzhou. In the city of Luoyang — a city of about 7 million people — engineers have warned that a 20 m (65 ft) breach in the Yihetan dam could cause the structure to collapse in the coming days. Modes of public transportation throughout the province — including high-speed rail, air flights and buses — have all been shut down or delayed. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue during the coming days.

China (Security threat level – 3): As of 1700 local time (0900 UTC) on 21 July 2021, Typhoon Cempaka had weakened into a tropical depression and was located approximately 340 km (212 mi) west of Hong Kong, according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At that time, Cempaka was moving west at 11 kph (7 mph) and was generating maximum sustained winds of 46 kph, with gusts of up to 65 kph. On its current forecast path, the storm is expected to enter the Gulf of Tonkin by 22 July before passing over Hainan province and re-entering the South China Sea during 24-25 July.

Cempaka made landfall as a typhoon in the Jiangcheng district of Yangjiang city in Guangdong province during the evening of 20 July. The storm generated strong winds and heavy rainfall, which caused localized transportation disruptions and prompted authorities to evacuate approximately 5,000 people. However, there were no reports of casualties or significant damage.

Japan / Taiwan / China (Security threat levels – 1 / 1 / 3): As of 1800 local time (0900 UTC) on 21 July 2021, Typhoon In-fa was located approximately 260 km (160 mi) south of Kadena, Japan, and was moving west at 11 kph (7 mph), according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At that time, In-fa was generating maximum sustained winds of 175 kph, with gusts of up to 213 kph. On its current forecast path, the storm is expected to pass over the Ishigaki and Miyao islands in southern Okinawa prefecture during 22-23 July before shifting farther north and making landfall in China’s Zhejiang province between the cities of Taizhou and Wenzhou. In-fa is expected to generate heavy rainfall and strong winds in areas along its path, including throughout Taiwan, as it passes nearby during 23-24 July.

AUSTRALASIA

Australia (Security threat level – 2): On 20 July 2021, authorities in the southern state of Victoria extended an ongoing statewide lockdown until 27 July to curb the spread of COVID-19. During the lockdown, residents may only leave their homes to procure food and other essential supplies, for work, caring for individuals, outdoor exercise or traveling to vaccination appointments. Face masks are mandatory in all public areas.

EUROPE

Belgium (Security threat level – 3): On 19 July 2021, authorities announced modifications to current coronavirus-related entry requirements. Individuals returning from an EU or Schengen Area country who are not vaccinated are required to submit to a PCR COVID-19 test on days one and seven while in Belgium. If either test is positive, the traveler is required to quarantine for 10 days. In a related development, outdoor events with 1,500 attendees or more will be permitted beginning on 13 August, as long as attendees demonstrate a COVID Safe ticket – which shows if an individual has been vaccinated, recently recovered or recently tested negative for COVID-19. The same rules will apply for indoor events with more than 1,500 attendees beginning on 1 September.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Australia (Security threat level – 2): On 20 July 2021, the U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne issued a Health Alert regarding lockdowns in Victoria and South Australia state, which reads in part as follows: “Event: Lockdown in Victoria extended for seven more days. The Victorian government announced on July 20, 2021, that the current lockdown for all of Victoria would be extended for another seven days, ending at 11.59 pm on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The restrictions require staying at home except for when engaged in essential activities. When outside the home, residents will be required to wear masks. For more information, please see https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

“Event: Seven-day lockdown in South Australia. The South Australian government announced on July 20, 2021, a seven-day lockdown for all of South Australia from 6:00 pm on July 20, 2021. The restrictions require staying at home except for when engaged in essential activities. When outside the home, residents will be required to wear masks. For more information, please see https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/response.

“The U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne will be closed for routine consular services during this time. U.S. citizens in need of critical emergency services should contact MelbourneACS@state.gov.”

Cyprus (Security threat level – 2): On 20 July 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia issued a Demonstration Alert regarding a planned demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy, which reads in part as follows:

“U.S. citizens are advised that a demonstration is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 21 at 07:30pm at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia. The demonstration is expected to last an hour and be peaceful. A strong police presence, including riot police, is also expected. All citizens should avoid the area around the U.S. Embassy during the evening hours of June 21.”

Haiti (Security threat level – 4): On 20 July 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued an alert regarding upcoming closures, which reads in part as follows: “The Government of Haiti has declared Thursday, July 22 and Friday, July 23 national holidays in honor of President Moise who will be interred Friday, July 23. Accordingly, the U.S. Embassy in Port au Prince, Haiti will be closed for all services on those days.”

Peru (Security threat level – 3): On 20 July 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Lima issued a Demonstration Alert regarding planned strikes in the Cusco region from 20-21 July, which reads in part as follows: “The Farmer’s Federation and bus and taxi unions plan to participate on strikes expected to take place on July 20 -21 in the Cusco Region. Public transportation in and around Cusco will be limited. As a precaution, train service to and from Machu Picchu has been suspended. The U.S. Consular Agency in Cusco will be closed Tuesday July 20 and Wednesday July 21st.”