Vietnam (Security threat level – 3): As of 1600 local time (0900 UTC) on 23 September 2021, Tropical Storm Dianmu has formed off Vietnam’s southern coast and was located approximately 280 km (175 mi) southeast of the city of Da Nang, according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At that time, Dianmu was moving northwest at 25 kph (15 mph) and was generating maximum sustained winds of 65 kph, with gusts of up to 83 kph. On its current forecast path, the storm is expected to make landfall in Quang Ngai province during the early hours of 24 September. Authorities warned that rainfall of between 150 and 250 mm (6 and 10 in) are likely throughout the country’s central provinces, while some areas could receive up to 300 mm of rainfall. Dianmu is forecast to rapidly weaken after making landfall as the storm transits over southern Laos and northeastern Thailand.
Belgium (Security threat level – 3): The General Labor Federation of Belgium (ABVV) is expected to stage a demonstration in the capital Brussels on 24 September 2021 to protest proposed changes to transit workers’ wages. The protest is scheduled to begin at 1100 local time (0900 UTC) at the Brussels-North railway station. Participants then plan to march through the Botanique cultural complex, continue past the Pacheco Center, the Brussels-Central railway station and the Lemonnier underground tram stop before concluding at the Brussels South railway station. Travelers in the city should plan for significant transit delays since bus, metro and tram operations will likely be disrupted.
Spain (Security threat level – 3): As of the morning of 23 September 2021, lava flowed from the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma for the fifth day as the Canary Islands’ volcanology institute noted that the scale of seismic activity within the volcano was intensifying. On 22 September two new fissures opened: one with a new lava flow extending out approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) and the other further north from the existing vents, located southeast of Tacande village that authorities have subsequently evacuated. The lava fountain from the new vent has extended upward to approximately 300 m (1,000 ft) in height, producing a steam and ash plume approximately 4,000 meters high that was visible from much of the island. Sulfur dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere will reach Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya as well as a large part of the Iberian Peninsula and Mediterranean coasts of France and Italy by 24 September, according to the EU Copernicus Emergency Management Service.
The ash cloud has caused some delays at La Palma Airport (GCLA/SPC), located nearly 8 km south of Santa Cruz, with reports indicating that flights originating at airports on the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife had been experiencing delays of up to three hours. The volcanic activity has not closed the airspace. Authorities from ENAIRE — the air navigation manager in Spain — announced restrictions to the airspace near the volcano in La Palma aimed at preventing private drones or media from flying overhead and interfering with emergency services. These new measures do not affect commercial flights as such flights do not use the restricted airspace.
Algeria / Morocco (Security threat levels – 4 / 3): On 22 September 2021, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced the closure of Algerian airspace to all Moroccan aircraft, effective immediately. Moroccan civilian and military aircraft, as well as those registered in Morocco, will no longer be permitted to use Algerian airspace. The prohibition reportedly affects 15 weekly flights operated by Royal Air Maroc — Morocco’s national carrier — between Morocco and the following countries: Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey. The Algerian Supreme Authority Council’s decision follows the 24 August announcement that it is ending formal diplomatic ties with Morocco amid increasing security tensions along the Algeria-Morocco border during the previous month.
Sudan (Security threat level – 5): On 23 September 2021, authorities reportedly closed Port Sudan New International Airport (HSPN/PZU), located in eastern Sudan, amid ongoing demonstrations against clauses of the 2020 peace deal between the Sudanese government and rebel groups. Supporters of the High Council of Beja Nazirs, which opposes the agreement, have also blocked the main access route to the facility. It is currently unknown when the airport will resume operations. Associated demonstrations have been ongoing in the city during the past week and have also caused disruptions at the port on the Red Sea.
Jamaica (Security threat level – 3): On 22 September 2021, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for Jamaica regarding upcoming lockdowns, which reads in part as follows: “There are “no movement day” (lockdown) orders in place. No movement days have been announced for every Sunday, with a curfew starting at 6pm on Saturday running to 5am Monday through to 28 October. National Heroes Day on Monday 18 October is also a no movement day, with the curfew starting at 6pm Saturday 16 October and running to 5am Tuesday 19 October. On regular weekdays, Monday to Friday, a night time curfew applies from 8pm to 5am the following day. Other restrictions continue:
Timor-Leste (Security threat level – 3): On 23 September 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Dili issued a Health Alert regarding the extension of the state of emergency, which reads in part as follows: “A State of Emergency (SOE) is in effect for all of Timor-Leste through 23:59 on September 29. The SOE restricts gatherings and directs individuals to utilize preventative measures including social distancing, the wearing of face masks, and washing of hands. Specific requirements of the SOE can be found at the Embassy’s COVID-19 webpage.
“On September 22, the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) extended travel restrictions between the Municipality of Dili, and other Timor-Leste municipalities, through 23:59 on September 29.
“More information about these restrictions, including exceptions, is available here. “
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