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September 28, 2021
28-September-2021

AMERICAS

Chile (Security threat level – 2): On 27 September 2021, President Sebastián Piñera announced that the government will not renew the state of exception law that has been enforced across Chile since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the nationwide nightly 0000 to 0500 local time (0300-0800 UTC) curfew as well as regional quarantine measures are set to expire on 30 September. Subsequently, the Ministry of Health announced a series of measures that coordinate limitations to capacity at indoor facilities and businesses based on local epidemiological conditions and COVID-19 hospitalization rates.

Colombia (Security threat level – 4): Anti-government demonstrations are scheduled to occur in Colombia on 28 September 2021. The National Strike Committee organized the demonstrations to protest a modified version of President Ivan Duque’s tax reform bill that Colombian lawmakers passed on 8 September. The previous tax reform bill caused months-long widespread protests throughout the country earlier in 2021.

Demonstrations are scheduled to occur at various times in major cities across the country. In the capital Bogotá, protesters are planning to gather during the morning hours at a number of locations, including the Parque Nacional at 0900 local time (1400 UTC) — from where demonstrators will march to the Plaza de Bolívar — the Puente de la Dignidad at 1100 local time, the intersection of Calle 27 and Carrera 10 at 1200 local time, Pedagogical University and Portal de Las Américas at 1200 local time, Plaza de la Hoja at 1400 local time and the intersection of Avenida Cali and Avenida Suba at 1400 local time. In the southwestern city of Cali, demonstrators are expected to gather at the Plazoleta de San Francisco at 0900 local time and march to the Hospital Universitario Del Valle. In Medellín, demonstrators are expected to gather at the Parque de la Resistencia at 1000 local time. In Cartagena, demonstrators are expected to gather at the Turbaco tollbooth and march to the Government of Bolívar building in the downtown area.

ASIA

Japan (Security threat level – 1): On 28 September 2021, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced that the government will lift the COVID-19 state of emergency — currently in effect in the capital Tokyo, 18 prefectures and several other regions — on 30 September amid a decrease in COVID-19 cases. Despite the cancellation of the state of emergency, select restrictions on businesses and gatherings will remain in effect. Restaurants, bars, and other entertainment establishments will continue to close by 2000 local time (1100 UTC); however, restaurants that employ extensive antivirus measures will be allowed to remain open until 2100 local time and serve alcohol. Venues hosting major sporting events will be allowed to admit up to 10,000 spectators or 50% of the venue’s capacity — a twofold increase from the current limit of 5,000 people — and face masks will continue to be encouraged in public. Tokyo has been under a state of emergency since 12 July.

EUROPE

United Kingdom (Security threat level – 3): As of 28 September 2021, the U.K. continues to struggle with a shortage of petroleum products as long queues of vehicles gather at gas stations for a fifth consecutive day. According to the chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association, as many as 90% of its nearly 5,500 members are experiencing the shortage; the association represents about 65% of all gas stations in the U.K. While the U.K. transport secretary stated that the shortage would begin to ease in the coming days, school buses in London and England’s South East region were canceled on 28 September due to a lack of fuel. In response to the shortage, the government placed military personnel on standby the previous day to prepare for fuel deliveries should that become necessary. Reports indicate that 75 army tanker drivers are currently on standby and 75 others could be placed on reserve in order to alleviate disruptions in fuel deliveries, which have been largely attributed to the ongoing driver shortage exacerbated by panic-buying in recent days.