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July 6, 2021
6-July-2021

AMERICAS

Lesser Antilles (Security threat level – 1): On 3 July 2021, Prime Minister Timothy Harris imposed a lockdown on the island of Nevis until 0500 local time (0900 UTC) on 12 July due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. The measure coincides with a lockdown imposed on the island of St. Kitts on 27 June, which will also end on 12 July. During this time, travel away from home is only permitted for essential workers and for individuals dealing with medical emergencies, while all large gatherings are banned, including parties and other social activities. Additionally, all bars, beaches, nightclubs and rum shops are closed.

United States (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 0800 local time (1200 UTC) on 6 July 2021, Tropical Storm Elsa was located approximately 55 mi (90 km) southwest of the Florida Keys and was moving north-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center. At that time, the storm was generating maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, with higher gusts. On its current forecast path, the storm will pass near the Florida Keys on 6 July and move near portions of the west coast of Florida later the same day and into 7 July. Elsa is projected to make landfall along the northern Florida Gulf Coast on the morning of 7 July and affect the southwestern United States through 8 July as it moves in a northeastwardly direction.

Elsa’s passage on 2 July left one person dead on the island of St. Lucia and claimed two more victims in the Dominican Republic. The storm felled trees and damaged residences at hurricane strength on the islands of Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Vincent before weakening to a tropical storm and moving across the Dominican Republic and Haiti; authorities on the island of North Trinidad advised residents to limit water usage after the storm temporarily disrupted water treatment plants. On the island of Martinique, the storm’s passage left 7,000 residents without power. Officials on the island of Barbados temporarily closed Grantley Adams International Airport (TBPB/BGI) during 3-4 July as the storm passed.

High winds are currently affecting areas of central and western Cuba and will begin to affect Florida’s west coast later on 6 July before reaching west-central Florida and the Florida Big Bend region in the evening. A tropical storm surge of 3-5 feet is forecast to affect areas from the Aucilla River to the Ochlockonee River in Florida, while a 2-4 feet storm surge is projected for the southern coast of Cuba, and from Bonita Beach to Englewood, Florida – including Charlotte Harbor. Additional storm surges of smaller magnitudes are anticipated in areas along the affected Florida coast. Tropical Storm Elsa is predicted to produce 5-10 inches of rain across areas of Cuba on the evening of 6 July, with isolated maximums of 15 inches. Flash floods and subsequent mudslides are possible in the affected areas. During 6-7 July, the storm is expected to produce 3-5 inches of rain along the Florida Keys and southwest and western areas of Florida, with localized maximum totals of up to 8 inches, and 2-4 inches across the rest of Florida, with maximum totals of up to 6 inches. Rainfall of 3-5 inches is forecast to impact areas of southeast Georgia and the low country of South Carolina, while 1-3 inches of rainfall is expected to affect coastal portions of North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, with isolated totals of 5 inches. Tornados are possible on 6-7 July across the Florida Peninsula and the affected areas of Georgia and South Carolina, and on 8 July in the eastern Carolinas and far southeast Virginia. Swells and life-threatening surf and rip current conditions are forecast across parts of the Florida Keys and the Floridian west coast on 6-7 July.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the west-central and Big Bend coast of Florida from Egmont Key to the Steinhatchee River. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the Georgia coast and for portions of the South Carolina coast from the Mouth of St. Marys River to South Santee River, South Carolina. U.S. President Joe Biden has approved a federal state of emergency for Florida in preparation for the storm’s arrival while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency in 15 counties. Tampa International Airport (KTPA/TPA), located in the coastal city of Tampa, will suspend commercial operations beginning at 1700 local time (2100 UTC) on 6 July and suspend air cargo operations at 2200 local time.

ASIA

Bangladesh (Security threat level – 4): On 5 July 2021, authorities announced the suspension of all domestic flight operations to curb the spread of COVID-19. The suspension will remain in effect during 8-14 July. Cargo, medevac, humanitarian and relief flights will be exempt from the restriction.

EUROPE

Georgia (Security threat level – 3): On 5 July 2021, anti-LGBT protesters attacked LGBT activists and journalists in the capital Tbilisi ahead of a planned “March for Dignity” Pride march. Tbilisi Pride, which organized the Pride march, canceled the event after anti-LGBT protesters stormed and vandalized the organization’s offices. According to local media, an assailant stabbed and injured a foreign national on Kosta Khetagurovi street in an alleged homophobic attack. Police officers immediately arrested the assailant at the scene of the attack. Additionally, protesters attacked at least 47 journalists covering the protests. Following the attacks, 18 Western embassies, including the U.S. Embassy, issued a joint statement condemning the violence and the Georgian government’s failure to prevent the violence.

Russia (Security threat level – 3): On 6 July 2021, an Antonov An-26 aircraft — flight number PTK251 — lost contact with authorities on the far eastern Kamchatka peninsula. The aircraft had departed Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport (UHPP/PKC), located on the southern Kamchatsky peninsula, and was en route to Palana Airport (UHPL) in northern Kamchatsky when authorities lost contact with the flight crew. Officials stated that the flight disappeared from radar approximately 10 km (5 mi) from its destination as it was preparing for landing in poor visibility conditions. According to the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, debris from the aircraft was found approximately 5 km from the northwestern Kamchatka coastline on approach to the Palana Airport runway. All 28 individuals onboard the aircraft are presumed deceased.

United Kingdom (Security threat level – 3): On 5 July 2021, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced plans to lift COVID-19 restrictions on 19 July. The changes will only apply to England, and will not affect Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. As of 19 July, restrictions on gatherings, capacity limits and face mask mandates will be lifted. Additionally, all remaining businesses, including nightclubs, will be permitted to reopen. Johnson stated that a final decision on whether to lift the restrictions will be made on 12 July.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Chad (Security threat level – 5): On 3 July 2021, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for Chad, which reads in part as follows: “As of 5 July 2021, there is no longer a ban (related to the Alpha variant of COVID-19) on travellers from the UK entering Chad. All international travellers need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate dated no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Chad. As of 5 July 2021, travellers arriving by air will have their temperatures taken and be required to take an antigen or RT-PCR test at the airport before entering town. There will be a charge of 20,000 FCFA (40 US Dollars or 30 Euros) for this test.

“If you enter Chad and are planning to stay for 7 days or more, you will also need to take a COVID-19 PCR test on the seventh day.

“As of 5 July 2021, holders of Chadian COVID-19 vaccination certificates, indicating that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Chad, may be exempt from some or all of these requirements.”

Dominican Republic (Security threat level – 3): On 6 July 2021, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for the Dominican Republic regarding the nationwide nightly curfew, which reads in part as follows: “From Wednesday 7 July 2021 the nationwide curfew is from 10pm to 5am Monday to Friday and from 7pm to 5am on Saturday and Sunday.

“Transit is permitted for the first two hours of curfew, i.e. until 12am Monday to Friday and until 9pm on Saturday and Sunday, only in order to travel home.

“There are some limited exceptions to the curfew, including those seeking assistance in a medical emergency, and international passengers and their drivers travelling to and from an airport. You may be arrested by police if you breach curfew, unless you meet one of the approved exemptions.”

Eswatini (Security threat level – 3): On 1 July 2021, the U.S. Department of State issued an updated Travel Advisory for Eswatini and upgraded the level of advice to “Level 4: Do Not Travel.” The advisory reads in part as follows: “Do not travel to Eswatini due to civil unrest.

“Eswatini is experiencing dangerous civil unrest and protests across the country. The government of Eswatini has announced a nationwide curfew from 1800 – 0500. KMIII International Airport has suspended operations. Communication disruptions, including internet and cell phone service, are occurring,

“The U.S. Embassy has limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Eswatini.

“On July 1, 2021, the Department allowed for the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members.”

The full text of the advisory is available here.

Ghana (Security threat level – 3): On 5 July 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Accra issued a Demonstration Alert regarding a planned march in the capital Accra, which reads in part as follows: “We are aware of a march planned on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. The activity is likely to draw a large crowd and disrupt traffic. Considerable police presence and heavy congestion are expected along the planned route, beginning from Accra Mall at 6 am and then moving south towards Parliament House throughout the day.”