AFRICA

Guinea (Security threat level – 4): On 6 July 2022, police officers clashed with protesters who had gathered in the capital Conakry to denounce the arrest of three leaders of the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution — a coalition of civil society groups that oppose the military junta. The officers fired tear gas at protesters who erected a blockade on Le Prince Highway near the Bambeto roundabout, located approximately 10 km (6 mi) southeast of the city center, and threw rocks at the officers. The protesters had burned tires and halted traffic on the highway since the previous day. Authorities stated that at least 17 police officers were injured in the violence.

Nigeria (Security threat level – 5): On 6 July 2022, nearly 900 inmates escaped from the Kuje prison — located approximately 30 km (20 mi) southwest of the capital Abuja — during a prison break raid claimed by the Islamic State West Africa Province militant group. According to local authorities, the assailants entered the facility while setting off “high-grade explosives” and firing their weapons. One prison guard was killed. Police officers have since secured the area and are pursuing about 400 escaped inmates who still remain at large. Local intelligence officials believe that the main objective of the raid was to free the Boko Haram commanders who plotted the 28 March Kaduna-Abuja train attack, and who remain among the escapees not accounted for.

ASIA

China (Security threat level – 4): On 6 July 2022, authorities in Beijing announced a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for residents to be allowed to enter public venues beginning 11 July as officials attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19 cases in the city. Residents will need to show proof of having received a recognized COVID-19 vaccination — most international vaccines are not recognized in China — or proof of exemption from the vaccine mandate to enter shopping malls, cinemas, tourist locations and training centers. Currently, individuals are required to show proof of a negative COVID PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours to enter government buildings, transportation hubs and other public places.

China (Security threat level – 4) : On 7 July 2022, Hong Kong government officials announced an immediate suspension of the circuit breaker mechanism used in the island’s zero-COVID prevention strategy in favor of on-arrival coronavirus testing and mandatory seven-day quarantines. Under the previous circuit breaker mechanism rules, airlines were banned from landing on the island for five days to two weeks if they either disembarked five COVID-19 positive passengers or if 5% of the passengers on an individual flight tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee stated that the combination of on-arrival testing and seven-day quarantines has proven to be more effective than the flight ban system at preventing the entry of travelers with COVID-19. Visitors entering Hong Kong must provide a negative pre-departure PCR test and provide proof of vaccination upon arrival, in addition to completing five other PCR tests over a 14-day period.

EUROPE

United Kingdom (Security threat level – 3): On 7 July 2022, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party and stated that he plans to step down from the premiership after the party elects a new leader. Johnson’s announcement comes after nearly half of the government ministers quit over his handling of misconduct allegations against a lawmaker. Details regarding the timeline for choosing a new Conservative Party leader are expected to be announced next week.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Haiti (Security threat level – 5): On 6 July 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a Security Alert regarding upcoming protests in the capital from 7-8 July, which reads in part as follows: “Political activists have announced two days of demonstrations for July 7 and 8, 2022. The planned demonstration is to leave from the Airport Crossroads to follow the Delmas highway then branch off at Delmas 60 to end at the Champ de Mars.”

Poland (Security threat level – 1): On 6 July 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows: “On Thursday, July 7, between 9:00AM and 6:00PM the AGROUNIA agricultural trade union will protest in Warsaw to express their dissatisfaction related to high inflation and food price increases. The group will gather at Aleje Jerozolimskie and walk along Marszalkowska Street and Wspolna Street to the Ministry of Agriculture. Their route also includes the following streets: Krucza, Piekna, Wiejska to the Sejm, and then Piekna and Aleje Ujazdowskie to the Prime Minister’s Chancellery. The protest will pass in the vicinity of the Embassy during business hours and may cause traffic disruptions.”