British Virgin Islands (Security threat level – 1): On 15 June 2021, authorities in the British Virgin Islands amended entry requirements for travelers fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to their arrival. Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to take a COVID-19 RT-PCR test upon arrival and are exempt from quarantine requirements, excluding those traveling from, or who have transited through, Brazil or India during the previous 14 days. All other fully vaccinated travelers are required to submit a BVI Gateway Traveller Authorisation Certificate certifying that they are fully vaccinated and proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than five days prior to arrival.
Colombia (Security threat level – 4): At approximately 1510 local time (2010 UTC) on 15 June 2021, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated inside the barracks of the 30th Brigade of the National Army in the city of Cúcuta, located near the Venezuelan border approximately 200 km (125 mi) northeast of Bucaramanga. Reports indicate that two individuals impersonating public officials drove a pickup truck into the military facility and left the vehicle on the premises. The truck exploded shortly thereafter, followed by a second blast stemming from the same vehicle. A total of 36 people were injured in the explosions, including two civilians. Three of the victims were critically wounded, while 29 others suffered minor injuries. According to the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, a small number of U.S. military personnel were present at the base; however, none of them suffered serious injuries. Authorities have detained one person in relation to the attack. Colombia’s defense minister stated that either the National Liberation Army (ELN) insurgent group or dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia likely perpetrated the attack.
Colombia (Security threat level – 4): On 15 June 2021, the National Strike Committee announced the temporary suspension of nationwide demonstrations over income inequality, police brutality and youth unemployment that it had organized on every Wednesday since 28 April. The committee will instead hold a national concert on 20 June, conduct dialogues with various social sectors to draft a list of reforms, then deliver the proposals to Congress on 20 July following a march to the National Capitol building in Bogotá’s Bolivar Square. Sporadic demonstrations by smaller groups are expected to continue in the near term as negotiations between local authorities and protest organizers continue across the country.
Dominican Republic (Security threat level – 3) : On 15 June 2021, President Luis Abinader issued a decree relaxing the weekend curfew in place in 24 provinces and the National District, which encompasses Santo Domingo. The curfew — which was in effect from 1500 to 0500 local time (1900 to 0900 UTC ) on Saturdays and Sundays — will now be enforced from 1800 to 0500 local time in the affected areas. A 1800 to 0500 local time nightly curfew is already in place in those 24 provinces and the National District, Monday through Friday. The official decree is available here (in Spanish).
United States (Security threat level – 2): On 15 June 2021, Southwest Airlines canceled approximately 500 scheduled flights due to unspecified technical issues with its network connectivity. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a temporary ground stop at the request of Southwest Airlines, preventing all flights operated by the airline from taking off for nearly one hour during the afternoon while the company attempted to rectify the issues. Reports indicate that more than 1,690 flights operated by Southwest Airlines experienced delays across U.S. airports. A spokesperson for the company stated that the temporary disruption to its flight operations was due to sporadic performance issues with the airline’s network connectivity, which do not appear related to the previous day’s technical glitch with a third-party weather data provider. More than 1,400 Southwest Airlines’ flights were delayed on 14 June due to the glitch, which prevented the transmission of weather data to flight crews.
Israel / Palestinian Territories (Security threat levels – 4 / 4): Early on 16 June 2021, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes in the Gaza Strip after militants launched incendiary balloons from Gaza into southern Israel the previous day. The balloons triggered 20 small fires but caused no damage or casualties. According to the IDF, the airstrikes targeted facilities belonging to the Hamas militant group in Gaza City and Khan Younis. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The airstrikes followed clashes between Palestinians and members of the IDF along the Gaza border, during which soldiers fired tear gas and rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse the protesters.
On the evening of 15 June, a far-right Flag March occurred in Jerusalem to commemorate Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in 1967. Hundreds of demonstrators waving Israeli flags passed through Jerusalem’s Old City and gathered in the Damascus Gate, in some cases chanting slogans at nearby Palestinian merchants. Israeli security personnel arrested at least 17 Palestinians during the march and removed several dozen others from the vicinity of the Damascus Gate plaza leading into the Old City. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli police officers fired stun grenades to disperse Palestinian protesters; at least 33 Palestinians were injured.
South Africa (Security threat level – 4): On 15 June 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa imposed a Level 3 lockdown, which involves tighter restrictions, due to a rise in the confirmed number of new COVID-19 cases. The nationwide nightly curfew will now be enforced during the hours of 2200-0400 local time (2000-0200 UTC). Additionally, limits on gatherings have been reduced to a maximum of 50 people at indoor events and 100 people at outdoor events.
Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Security threat level – 4): On 16 June 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa issued a Health Alert, which reads in part as follows: “On June 15, 2021 the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced new steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This follows the announcement that DRC is suffering a “third wave” of COVID-19 infections.
“Businesses, schools, airports, and ports are open. While DRC permits borders open, many neighboring countries continue to restrict border crossings.”
The full text of the alert is available here.
Ethiopia (Security threat level – 4): On 16 June 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa issued a pre-election travel restrictions Alert, which reads in part as follows: “Ethiopia will hold national elections on June 21 in most of the country. Elections in Tigray Region and several other areas are postponed until September 6 for various reasons. It may be several weeks before election results are final and conditions during this period will be uncertain. As a matter of prudence and to focus Embassy resources on elections monitoring and response, U.S. mission personnel travel – both official and personal – outside of the Addis Ababa city limits will be restricted during the period June 17 through July 16, as Embassy resources will be fully committed to monitoring the political and security situation before, during, and after the national elections.”
Hungary (Security threat level – 2): On 16 June 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Budapest issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows: “On June 16-20 there will be numerous planned demonstrations in Budapest. Hungarian Police will be present at the event to monitor the security situation.
Date/Time: Wednesday, June 16, 18:00-20:00
Organizer: Multiple NGOs
Purpose: To protest the newly passes legislation which restricts LGBTQ+ rights
Date/Time: Friday, June 18, 15:00-18:00
Organizer: Three environmental protection groups
Purpose: To protest the ongoing construction at Lake Ferto
Date/Time: Sunday, June 20, 13:00-21:00
Organizer: Private citizen
Purpose: To protest discriminatory vaccination cards, highlight the government’s failed handling of the pandemic, and to support human liberties.
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