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March 18, 2022
18-March-2022

AMERICAS

Canada (Security threat level – 2): On 17 March 2022, the Canadian minister of health announced that fully vaccinated travelers arriving in Canada after 0001 Eastern Daylight Time (0401 UTC) on 1 April will not be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the country. However, travelers may be randomly selected to take a molecular test upon arrival. All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, will still be required to submit their health information via the ArriveCAN  portal prior to the arrival. Entry requirements for those who are not fully vaccinated remain unchanged. The minister cited high rates of vaccination and the increasing availability of rapid tests, along with a decline in COVID-19 cases and subsequent hospitalizations, while declaring the cancellation of entry requirements for fully vaccinated individuals. More than 80% of the total population in the country is fully vaccinated. Further information as outlined by the government is available here.

Haiti (Security threat level – 5): On 17 March 2022, a public transportation union launched a four-day strike in the southern departments, including the capital Port-au-Prince, to demand the safety of transportation employees and passengers. The strike is currently set to last until 20 March. Members of the Haitian Owners and Drivers Association announced the protest action amid increasing instances of robberies and hijackings of public transport vehicles in Port-au-Prince and its outskirts. The most recent such incident occurred on 14 March, when armed bandits attacked seven public buses in the Jacmel neighborhood of Port-au-Prince.

AUSTRALASIA

South Pacific Islands (Security threat level – 1): On 18 March 2022, Samoan authorities placed the country on emergency lockdown for four days after the first known case of locally transmitted coronavirus was detected the previous day on the main island of Upolu. All international travel by air and sea will be suspended until at least 22 March while health officials monitor the positive case. The lockdown will accompany other prevention measures such as the closure of all nonessential businesses and a requirement to wear face masks in public places. Participation in some activities will require proof of vaccination. Official statistics indicate that nearly 90% of Samoa’s total population is fully vaccinated.

EUROPE

Italy (Security threat level – 2): On 17 March 2022, Italy’s health minister announced a multi-phase plan to ease nationwide coronavirus-related restrictions. The current ongoing state of emergency is expected to lapse on 31 March, at which point the national COVID-19 risk committee will disband. Provincial movement restrictions will then be annulled, and as of 1 April individuals over the age of 50 will no longer be required to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination before being allowed to enter their workplaces. Additionally, beginning on 30 April, face masks will no longer be required in public spaces. As of 1 May, proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 infection, or results from a negative test will no longer be required to enter indoor public venues.

Italy / Poland (Security threat levels – 2 / 2): On 17 March 2022, train services in Poland and Italy were severely disrupted due to a technical malfunction of several electronic rail control systems. According to the Polish railway company PKP PLK, train traffic on approximately 820 km (500 mi) of routes was halted after the breakdown affected nearly 60% of control systems. Several trains in neighboring Italy were also canceled or delayed for hours, including the Florence-Rome railway line, but services were eventually restored. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, which was likely due to a software error.

Ukraine (Security threat level – 5): On 18 March 2022, Russian forces conducted airstrikes against an aircraft repair plant in western Ukraine, located approximately 6 km (4 mi) from downtown Lviv. The Russian missiles destroyed several buildings and reportedly wounded one person. Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (UKLL/LWO) — Lviv’s civilian airport — was not affected.

Analyst Comment: Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, Lviv — located approximately 70 km (45 mi) from the Polish border — has served both as a safe haven for refugees and an important transit point to Poland for those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Lviv hosts at least 200,000 displaced individuals, and numerous foreign embassies have relocated to the city as a result of the ongoing conflict.

United Kingdom (Security threat level – 3): As of 0400 local time/UTC on 18 March 2022, inbound travelers to the U.K. are no longer subject to coronavirus-related entry requirements, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, the country’s two main airlines British Airways and Virgin announced that they will end their mandatory face mask requirement for all passengers aboard their flights. The end of travel regulations follows a wide-reaching vaccination campaign in the country — 86% of the population is fully vaccinated. Further information as outlined by the U.K. government is available here.