ASIA

China (Security threat level – 3) : On 4 May 2022, Beijing city officials announced that the required COVID-19 quarantine period for arriving travelers to the capital will be reduced to 10 days in a quarantine facility from the current requirement of 14 days as officials attempt to decrease coronavirus travel restrictions. Travelers will still be required to isolate for seven days at home or in a hotel after the mandatory 10-day period in a quarantine facility. It is currently unknown whether the reduced quarantine period will be extended countrywide. City officials have also closed more than 60 subway stations and over 158 bus routes throughout the capital — primarily in the Chaoyang District — in their latest attempt to contain Beijing’s recent coronavirus outbreak.

In related news, government officials in Zhengzhou — located southwest of Beijing — announced that movement restrictions will be imposed from 4-10 May. During the six-day period, all private and public sector employees are required to work from home when possible, and all schools in the area will be required to temporarily transition to online learning. Depending on the evolution of the coronavirus epidemiolocal situation in Zhengzhou, movement restrictions will either expire or be expanded after 10 May. Meanwhile, the southern city of Shanghai remains on full lockdown.

Nepal (Security threat level – 3): On 4 May 2022, officials evacuated the domestic terminal of Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (VNKT/KTM) due to a bomb threat. According to local authorities, an anonymous tipster claimed five to six bombs were planted in the terminal. A Nepalese army bomb disposal team searched the airport but determined the threat to be a hoax. Domestic flights were temporarily suspended but no international flights were disrupted by the evacuation.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Sri Lanka (Security threat level – 4): On 4 May 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo issued a Demonstration Alert regarding ongoing protests at Temple Trees, which reads in part as follows: “The Fort Magistrate’s Court has issued an order for the removal of all the structures, vehicles and belonging of protesters near Temple Trees in Colombo 3. Police are expected to enforce this order starting at approximately 4:30 p.m. May 4, 2022.

“Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. Government personnel have been advised to avoid the protests.”