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Worldview Security Update – July 10, 2020
10-Jul-20

AMERICAS

  • United States

ASIA

  • India / Indonesia / Australia

EUROPE

  • Europe
  • Greece

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

  • Morocco / Sudan

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

  • Democratic Republic Of The Congo / Kenya

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

  • Brazil
  • Djibouti
  • Egypt
  • Serbia

Hot Spots Report

AMERICAS

United States (Security threat level – 2): As of 0800 local time (1200 UTC) on 10 July 2020, Tropical Storm Fay was located approximately 55 mi (85 km) south-southeast of Ocean City, Maryland, and about 90 mi south of Cape May, New Jersey, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. At that point, the storm was moving in a northerly direction at a speed of 10 mph (16 kph), with higher gusts. On the current forecast track, Fay will approach mid-Atlantic coastal areas later on 10 July and will come ashore over the mid-Atlantic or northeastern states on the night of 10 July or on 11 July. The storm is expected to produce 2-4 inches (50-100 mm) of rain, with isolated maximums of up to 7 inches along the eastern shore of Maryland, in the states of Delaware and New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, southeastern New York and southern areas of New England. The heavy rainfall could cause flash floods in these areas. In addition, tornadoes remain a possibility in parts of New Jersey, southeastern New York and southern areas of New England on 10 July.

At present, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Delaware’s Fenwick Island to Rhode Island’s Watch Hill, including Long Island and Long Island Sound, as well as in southern Delaware.

ASIA

India / Indonesia / Australia (Security threat levels – 3 / 4 / 2): On 10 July 2020, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the number of citizens and permanent residents allowed back into the country each week will be cut by half — approximately 4,000 travelers — in response to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria state. States will also begin to charge individuals arriving from an overseas destination for the expenses incurred during the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

In India’s Maharashtra state, the cities of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad will be under lockdown during 13-23 July. Essential businesses and services — such as grocery stores, pharmacies and hospitals — will be allowed to operate. Additionally, an ongoing lockdown in Thane — also located in Maharashtra, just outside of Mumbai — has been extended through 19 July. Meanwhile in Uttar Pradesh state, authorities raised the fine for not wearing a face mask in public to 500 rupees (approximately 7 U.S. dollars) from 100 rupees.

In Indonesia, the island of Bali partially reopened for local residents on 9 July. Tourist attractions such as beaches are open with restrictions on the number of people allowed at any given time. Tourists from elsewhere in Indonesia and foreign nationals remain banned from entering Bali until 31 July and 11 September, respectively.

EUROPE

Europe: As of 10 July 2020, governments in Europe continue to revise and adjust restrictions enacted to stem the spread of COVID-19. Additional details for Belgium, Bulgaria, Norway, Russia and the U.K. are outlined below.

Authorities in Belgium will require individuals to wear face masks in auditoriums, concert halls, libraries, museums, places of worship and stores beginning on 11 July. An existing mandate to use face masks while on public transport and while working in close-contact professions, such as hairdressing, remains in effect. Exemptions are in place for children under the age of 12 and for those who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons. Violators are subject to penalties. Establishments that repeatedly violate the mask mandate may be closed by authorities.
In Bulgaria, authorities on 9 July reintroduced several restrictions in response to increasing COVID-19 infection rates. Effective 10 July, all indoor discos, bars and nightclubs will be closed. Additionally, indoor and outdoor gatherings involving more than 30 individuals are banned, and soccer matches must be contested without spectators.

Norwegian authorities announced that as of 15 July travel restrictions will be lifted on more than 20 European countries, including portions of neighboring Sweden, granting reciprocal travel between the selected countries. Individuals entering Norway from such countries will no longer need to observe a previously obligatory 10-day quarantine period. The designated countries include Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Greece, Greenland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the U.K., Switzerland, as well as the regions of Blekinge, Kronoberg and Skåne in Sweden.

In Russia, the mayor of Moscow on 9 July announced that masks will no longer be required outdoors in the city as of 13 July. However, masks will remain mandatory in medical facilities, on public transport, and in other public places. Additionally, authorities are scheduled to lift restrictions on amusement parks, businesses, cultural centers, schools and universities as of 13 July.
In the U.K., restrictions further eased in Scotland as the country entered Phase 3 of a four-phase reopening plan on 10 July. Travelers arriving to Scotland from 57 countries deemed low risk for COVID-19 transmission will be exempt from the requirement to self-quarantine for 14 days. Additional details — comprising the list of exempt countries — are available here . Other adjustments to restrictions include permitting outdoor gatherings of up to 15 people from at most five separate households and indoor gatherings of up to eight people from at most three different households, provided that the attendees maintain a physical distance of 2 m (6 ft). Face coverings remain mandatory for employees and patrons inside retail establishments; however, employees in such facilities are exempt if they maintain a physical distance of 2 m or plexiglass shields are in place.

Greece (Security threat level – 3): On the evening of 9 July 2020, police officers fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who rallied outside the parliament building in Athens to denounce legislation that imposes restrictions on public protests in Greece. Approximately 10,000 people had gathered in the area to participate in the protest. Protesters threw at least three Molotov cocktails at police officers, who detained approximately 15 demonstrators. At least six police officers were injured during the violence.

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Morocco / Sudan (Security threat levels – 3 / 5): On 10 July 2020, Moroccan authorities extended the country’s health state of emergency until at least 10 August as part of efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. Despite the extension of the state of emergency, Moroccan authorities continue to lift domestic and international travel restrictions.

Meanwhile, officials with the Sudanese Civil Aviation Authority on 9 July announced that Khartoum International Airport (HSSS/KRT) will reopen for limited service as of 14 July. Flights will be available to and from Turkey, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Passengers arriving in Khartoum will be required to undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Democratic Republic Of The Congo / Kenya (Security threat levels – 4 / 4): The governor of the southeastern Haut-Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo suspended an existing 24-hour lockdown in the towns of Likasi, Lubumbashi, Kasumbalesa and Kipushi — for one day on 10 July 2020. The 24-hour lockdown measures are scheduled to resume on 11 July and then be lifted again on 12 July. The lockdown was imposed on 9 July to allow the provincial government to test 267 people suspected of COVID-19 infection. Despite the lockdown, demonstrations occurred on 9 July against lockdown measures and the appointment of a new head of the Independent Electoral Commission.
In Kenya, the transport secretary on 9 July stated that international travelers will be subject to temperature checks upon arrival. Individuals with a temperature of less than 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 degrees Fahrenheit) and no symptoms of COVID-19 will be allowed to leave the airport. Conversely, individuals displaying symptoms or a temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Additionally, individuals seated within two rows from any quarantined passenger during a flight will be tested for COVID-19. International flights are scheduled to resume as of 1 August.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Brazil (Security threat level – 3): On 9 July 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia issued an alert regarding Brazil’s required medical declaration for travelers seeking to enter the country, which reads in part as follows:

"On June 30, Brazil extended for an additional 30 days (through July 29) the decree banning foreigners from entering the country by air, land, and sea. Please see our previous message for a list of exemptions

"Please note that exempted travelers by air must arrive at the following international airports (São Paulo International Airport, Tom Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Viracapos International Airport in Campinhas, and Brasilia International Airport) and passengers must present a medical declaration from a health authority or doctor that attests they do not have COVID-19.

"The U.S. Embassy in Brasilia would like to share some clarification from the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa ) regarding this requirement:

"Traveler’s must present a medical declaration issued by a health authority or a local doctor that certifies that the passenger is not infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (covid-19). Test results alone will not be accepted. The doctor’s declaration may be in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. There is no specific template for the declaration. The Brazilian Government recommends that the traveler have the medical declaration with the date as close as possible to the day of departure."

Djibouti (Security threat level – 3): On 10 July 2020, the U.S. Embassy issued a Health Alert for Djibouti, which reads in part as follows:

"Event: The Government of Djibouti has announced Djibouti’s Ambouli International Airport will open for incoming and outgoing passenger traffic on July 17, 2020. All passengers entering Djibouti will be tested upon arrival for COVID-19 by the Djiboutian Ministry of Health. U.S. citizens who wish to depart Djibouti should purchase tickets directly from a commercial airline."

Egypt (Security threat level – 4): On 9 July 2020, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued an update to its travel advice for Egypt, which reads in part as follows:

“Since 1 July, the Egyptian government has permitted international flights to and from Egyptian airports. Some airlines are imposing special requirements, such as the wearing of face masks. You should check with your airline before you travel.

“The Egyptian authorities have advised that all arrivals into Egypt will be subject to health measures. Passengers from all countries will have temperatures observed, will be required to complete a monitoring card with personal details, and will need to provide confirmation of valid health insurance policy to airport authorities.

“There are currently restrictions for tourists arriving in the coastal governorates of the Red Sea, South Sinai and Matrouh to travel to other governorates in Egypt.”

Serbia (Security threat level – 3): On 9 July 2020, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice recommending against all but essential travel to Serbia, which reads in part as follows: “The FCO advise against all but essential travel to Serbia. Serbia is no longer exempt from the FCO advice against all non-essential international travel. This is based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks.”