AMERICAS

Paraguay (Security threat level – 3): On 29 November 2021, government officials announced new entry restrictions for travelers from 10 African countries to curb the spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Under the measures, non-resident foreign nationals who have traveled to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia or Angola within 14 days of travel to Paraguay are banned from entry. The measure will remain in effect until further notice.

EUROPE

Russia (Security threat level – 3): On 30 November 2021, authorities banned entry for foreign nationals traveling from Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe due to the spread of the omicron COVID-19 variant. Certain categories of travelers are permitted to enter the country — such as citizens, residents and essential workers — with a negative result from a COVID-19 test. As of 28 December, foreign nationals may be required to submit to fingerprinting and medical checkups. More information is available here.

Sweden (Security threat level – 2): On 29 November 2021, lawmakers narrowly elected Magdalena Andersson as Sweden’s prime minister. Andersson – the first woman in the country’s history to hold the position — will run a minority government with her Social Democratic Party, which controls 100 of the 349 seats in parliament. Andersson was initially elected prime minister on 24 November after forming a two-party coalition government; however, she resigned within hours after the Green Party withdrew support following parliament’s rejection of the coalition’s budget proposal and passage of an opposition-drafted budget. According to Andersson, the priorities of her government will be welfare, climate change and combating a rise in violent organized crime. The next general election is scheduled for September 2022.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Sudan (Security threat level – 5): At approximately 1420 UTC on 30 November 2021, security personnel fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators near the Republican Palace in Khartoum. The incident occurred after more than 10,000 demonstrators rallied near the palace to protest a deal that restored civilian Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok to power following last month’s dissolution of the ruling Sovereign Council by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Demonstrators believe the civilian government has been stripped of power and are demanding the military remove itself from the government and submit to civilian rule. Reports of injuries or arrests are unavailable.