ASIA

China (Security threat level – 4): On 20 July 2022, local authorities announced the continuation of mandatory COVID-19 PCR testing for residents in Shanghai until 31 August in an effort to prevent a resurgence of coronavirus cases in the city. Residents are required to take one PCR test per week at one of the city’s free testing sites. Individuals who fail to comply with the mandate will have their health code designation turn from green to yellow, which prevents them from entering public places and utilizing public transportation services. Residents with a yellow health code can only enter or leave their residential communities and travel to PCR testing sites and hospitals.

China (Security threat level – 4): On 21 July 2022, Chinese authorities reportedly deployed military tanks to the streets of the eastern port city of Rizhao in Shandong province — located approximately 100 km (65 mi) south of Qingdao. According to local media reports, the military tanks were deployed to protect local branches of the People’s Bank of China from protesters demanding the return of their bank deposits. Associated demonstrations have also occurred in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital of neighboring Henan province, since April 2022 as protesters demand access to their money outside a branch of the central bank in the city. Security personnel and plainclothes police officers used heavy-handed tactics to disperse protesters in Zhengzhou. No official statements have been released regarding a motive for the military deployment in Rizhao.

OCEANIA

New Zealand (Security threat level – 1): At approximately 1300 local time (0100 UTC) on 21 July 2022, officials suspended all inbound and outbound air traffic at Wellington International Airport (NZWN/WLG), located in the Rongotai suburb of the capital Wellington, until further notice due to harsh storm conditions. A severe winter storm with heavy rainfall and wind gusts of up to 150 kph (90 mph) has disrupted ground handling operations, according to an airport spokesperson. Thus far, at least 130 flights have been canceled, with additional cancellations expected until 22 July. The storm also caused large coastal swells that have led to heavy surface flooding on roads, including on the scenic Marine Drive in the Eastbourne suburb. Ferry services connecting the North and South islands have been suspended until further notice. A state of emergency is in effect in the port city of Timaru, located in the Canterbury region, after a levee sustained damage and forced officials to evacuate nearby residences due to the risk of flooding. The storm is expected to affect Wellington and the surrounding regions until 22 July.

Papua New Guinea (Security threat level – 5): On 21 July 2022, Prime Minister James Marape declared a state of emergency in the central Enga province due to ongoing intertribal violence. Authorities will deploy troops to the area to provide additional security amid) ongoing general elections in the country. The emergency declaration comes in response to clashes between the Aiyela and Nomali tribes; the most recent fighting occurred on 20 July, during which 18 people were killed in the town of Porgera. An estimated 70 people have died and another 3,000 have been displaced since the most recent conflict began in April 2022.