AMERICAS

Chile (Security threat level – 2): On 8 July 2021, Chilean President Sebastian Piñera announced that changes to the nationwide curfew will be in effect as of 15 July. For regions where at least 80% of the adult population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the rate of active cases is less than 150, the nightly curfew will commence at 0000 local time (0400 UTC) and end at 0500 local time. Alternatively, regions that fail to meet the Ministry of Health’s metrics will be subject to a nightly 2200-0500 local time curfew.

Haiti (Security threat level – 4): As of 9 July 2021, the pursuit of suspects connected to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse continues in Port-au-Prince. Reports indicate that Haitian authorities have detained 17 foreigners believed to be involved in the event, including two individuals with dual U.S.-Haitian citizenship, as well as at least six former members of the Colombian army. Haiti’s National Police Chief claimed that 15 of the suspects in custody are from Colombia. Haitian security personnel captured 11 suspects during the early hours of 9 July during an attempted break-in of the Taiwanese Embassy in the capital Port-au-Prince, although the identities and motives of these individuals remain unknown. Authorities killed at least three additional alleged mercenaries involved with the attack and remain in pursuit of eight others. One of the Haitian Americans detained reportedly served as a former security guard at the Canadian Embassy in the capital Port-au-Prince. Following reports of Colombian ties among those detained, Colombian President Iván Duque ordered his army and police leaders to dispatch an investigation team to collaborate with Haitian officials. Toussaint L’ouverture Airport (MTPP/PAP), located in Port-au-Prince, is scheduled to reopen on 9 July. Haiti’s border with the Dominican Republic remains closed.

United States (Security threat level – 2): As of 0800 local time (1200 UTC) on 9 July 2021, Tropical Storm Elsa was located approximately 90 mi (140 km) southwest of Montauk Point State Park, New York, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. At that time, Elsa had maximum sustained winds of 31 mph (50 kph) and was moving northeast at 31 mph. The storm is forecast to produce 2-4 inches of rain, with isolated maximums of 6 inches throughout the day across southern and coastal New England. The storm is forecast to continue to move northeast for the next several days and to be over Atlantic Canada by late in the evening of 9 July or in the early morning of 10 July. The storm is expected to become a post-tropical cyclone by the evening of 9 July but is not expected to decrease significantly in strength.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the following areas: from the East Rockaway Inlet of Long Island in New York, to the eastern tip of the island along the northern shore and from Port Jefferson Harbor east on the north shore; and from New Haven, Connecticut, to Merrimack River, Massachusetts – including Cape Cod, Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

During the night of 8-9 July, Storm Elsa affected New York City as heavy rainfall flooded subway stations and rendered several major roads impassable with floodwaters. Subway platforms were flooded at 157th Street in Manhattan and major roads in the Bronx experienced temporary closures. Since the area had already experienced 2-4 inches of rain due to thunderstorms unrelated to Elsa on the afternoon of 8 July, rain from the oncoming Elsa exacerbated the situation. The storm is expected to cause further flooding as it approaches the city. On 8 July, Tropical Storm Elsa moved through Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. It caused flooding in coastal areas, and spawned tornadoes in places such as Charleston, South Carolina, and in the towns of Fairfield and Suffolk, Virginia. In some areas, Elsa produced more than 7 inches of rain. More than 38,000 homes and businesses lost power in South Carolina, and by the evening of 8 July, over 60,000 customers had lost power in the area spanning from the state of Virginia to New York.

ASIA

South Korea (Security threat level – 2): On 9 July 2021, authorities escalated coronavirus-related restrictions in Seoul to Level 4 – the highest level possible – for the first time since the pandemic began, effective as of 12 July, amid concerns regarding another surge in coronavirus cases. Residents are encouraged to remain at home and schools are encouraged to switch to remote learning. Restaurants will operate at reduced capacity and are limited to takeout and delivery only after 2200 local time (1300 UTC). Hotels may only operate at two-thirds of maximum capacity and movies and concerts are banned after 2200 local time. Nightclubs and bars will be required to close. Residents may gather in groups of four before 1800 local time and in groups of two after 1800 local time.

Thailand (Security threat level – 3): On 9 July 2021, authorities announced that the capital Bangkok and the provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Songkhla, Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala will be under lockdown for 14 days beginning on 12 July. Under the orders, residents may only leave their homes for essential purposes such as procuring food or medicine as well as for work or unspecified emergencies. A nightly curfew will be in effect during 2100-0400 local time (1400-2100 UTC), and gatherings of more than five people are banned. Most businesses will be required to close by 2000 local time and public transportation will cease operations at 2100 local time nightly.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Belize (Security threat level – 3): On 9 July 2021, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for Belize regarding lockdown measures in the Toledo District, which reads in part as follows: “Lockdown measures are in place for Conejo, Midway, and Barranco villages in the Toledo District, effective 2 July 2021, for an initial period of two weeks. A curfew specific to these villages will be in effect from 8pm to 4:59am. If you violate these regulations, you will be returned to your port of entry at your own expense. If you cannot be returned immediately, you will be placed into mandatory quarantine at a government designated facility, which may be at your own expense.”