AMERICAS

Haiti (Security threat level – 4): On 8 July 2021, the chief of the National Police announced that security personnel killed four individuals who were allegedly part of a mercenary group that assassinated President Jovenel Moïse the previous day in the Pelerin 5 district of the city of Petion-Ville. Police officers killed the suspects, released three police officers held hostage by the mercenaries, and detained two other alleged mercenaries. Police officers have cordoned off the neighborhood as they pursue additional suspects in the Pelerin 5 district. A state of siege, which includes the implementation of martial law, remains in effect until 22 July. Toussaint L’ouverture Airport (MTPP/PAP), located in the capital Port-au-Prince, and Haiti’s border with the Dominican Republic both remain closed.

United States (Security threat level – 2): As of 0800 local time (1200 UTC) on 8 July 2021, Tropical Storm Elsa was located approximately 45 mi (70 km) west of Florence, South Carolina, and about 150 miles southwest of Raleigh, the capital city of North Carolina, and was moving north at 18 mph (30 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center. At that time, the storm was generating maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, with higher gusts. On its current forecast path, Elsa is expected to increase in speed and move over the Carolinas on 8 July before passing near the eastern mid-Atlantic region. Elsa will then likely move near or over the northeastern U.S. states on 9 July. The storm is expected to generate strong winds as it continues along its path, as well as produce 3 to 5 inches (75 to 125 mm) of rain across portions of South Carolina, with isolated maximums of 8 inches. The central and eastern portions of North Carolina and southeastern Virginia into New England are expected to receive 2 to 4 inches of rain, with isolated maximums of 6 inches on 8-9 July. Tornadoes are possible along the eastern Carolinas into southeast Virginia on the afternoon of 8 July, with the possibility of additional tornadoes affecting portions of the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England over 8-9 July.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect in the following areas: from the South Santee River, South Carolina, to the city of Sandy Hook, New Jersey; from Pamlico Sound to Albemarle Sound in North Carolina; from the southern half of Chesapeake Bay to the Potomac River south of Cobb Island, Maryland; the area of Delaware Bay south of Slaughter Beach; from the East Rockaway Inlet of Long Island, New York, to the eastern tip along the south shore and from Port Jefferson Harbor eastward on the north shore; and from the city of New Haven, Connecticut, to Merrimack River – which includes Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

At least one person was killed on 7 July in Jacksonville, Florida, after a tree limb fell onto two vehicles. Additionally, a suspected tornado caused damage that disrupted the city’s power supply until 8 July. The Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, located near the city of St. Mary’s in the state of Georgia, reported that an unconfirmed tornado passed through a campground at the base, injuring 10 people and damaging multiple recreational vehicles.

ASIA

Japan (Security threat level – 1): On 8 July 2021, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced that a state of emergency will be in effect in Tokyo from 12 July until 22 August due to a rising number of new COVID-19 cases. Under the order, venues such as bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors are banned from serving alcohol and are required to close nightly by 2000 local time (1100 UTC). Additionally, authorities announced that all spectators will be banned from the upcoming international sporting competition in the city; organizers previously banned foreign spectators but had planned to allow local residents to attend. An existing quasi-state of emergency has been extended through 22 August in Chiba, Kanagawa, Osaka and Saitama prefectures. Meanwhile, the quasi-state of emergency will be lifted on 11 July in Aichi, Fukuoka, Kyoto, Hokkaido and Hyogo prefectures.

Taiwan (Security threat level – 1): On 8 July 2021, the government extended an existing nationwide COVID-19 Level 3 alert through 26 July, while also easing some restrictions as of 13 July. Under the revised orders, restaurants may resume dine-in services and venues such as libraries, museums, cinemas and gyms may reopen subject to social distancing requirements. Face masks will remain mandatory in all public areas and public gatherings remain limited to five people indoors and 10 people outside.