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Worldview Security Update – July 15, 2020
15-Jul-20

AMERICAS

Lesser Antilles / Peru / Puerto Rico (Security threat levels – 1 / 3 / 2): On 14 July 2020, authorities in Anguilla extended an existing coronavirus-related border closure until at least 30 July. The border closure restrictions had previously been set to expire on 14 July. Only Anguillan nationals, persons with resident status and holders of valid work permits are permitted to enter the territory.

The Peruvian government will allow domestic flights and interprovincial buses to resume operations as of 15 July. Domestic flight operations will not resume to the municipalities of Áncash, Arequipa, Huánuco, Ica, Junín, San Martín and Madre de Dios. Passengers on board aircraft and buses will be required to sign health affidavits declaring that during the last 14 days they have not experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been exposed to any persons with COVID-19 or coronavirus-like symptoms. Face masks are required on all forms of public transportation.

In Puerto Rico, travelers as of 15 July are required to provide airport authorities with negative test results from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Puerto Rico. Travelers who do not have test results available, refuse to submit test results or test positive for COVID-19 will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days or the duration of their trip — whichever is shorter. Travelers in quarantine must then take a COVID-19 test and share results with authorities by uploading the results to an online portal ; travelers are also subject to random compliance checks. Those in self-quarantine face fines for failure to respond to any communication from the government, including text messages, personal visits or phone calls to monitor quarantine compliance. A nightly curfew from 2200 to 0500 local time (0200 to 0900 UTC) remains in place. Face masks remain mandatory when in public.

United States (Security threat level – 2): On 14 July 2020, officials in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut expanded a 14-day self-quarantine requirement to include inbound travelers from the following four states: Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio and Wisconsin. Conversely, those traveling to the tri-state area from the state of Delaware are no longer required to observe the 14-day quarantine. The states that record “a seven day rolling average, of positive [COVID-19] tests in excess of 10%, or number of positive cases exceeding 10 per 100,000 residents” are added to the list, whereas states that no longer meet the criteria are removed from the list. Additional information regarding the COVID-19 Travel Advisory, which comprises the list of 22 designated states outlined by the New York state government, is available here .

Meanwhile, officials in Chicago, Illinois, expanded an existing 14-day self-quarantine requirement for travelers to the city from states with increasing rates of COVID-19 infection to include individuals from the states of Iowa and Oklahoma, beginning on 17 July. The quarantine requirement initially went into effect on 6 July, mandating that travelers to the city from 15 U.S. states “experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 cases” self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Additional information, including the list of 17 designated states outlined by the Chicago city government is available here .

ASIA

Japan (Security threat level – 1): On 15 July 2020, authorities raised Tokyo’s COVID-19 risk level to the highest level on a four-tier scale due to a consistent rise in confirmed cases. The rating does not trigger any enforceable actions. However, Tokyo Gov. Koike Yuriko urged businesses to enforce measures to limit the spread of the disease, including requiring staff and customers to wear face masks, conducting temperature checks and sanitizing work areas frequently. Koike also urged residents to avoid businesses that do not implement precautions as well as to avoid nonessential travel outside the city.

EUROPE

Azerbaijan (Security threat level – 3): On the night of 14 July 2020, an estimated 30,000 people staged demonstrations in central Baku to support Azerbaijani troops in the disputed area of Naghorno-Karabakh. Demonstrators gathered at Azadliq Square and marched to the National Assembly building while chanting slogans and demanding that the government mobilize the military to recapture the disputed area. A group of protesters entered the building, smashed windows and caused minor damage to the facility. Security personnel removed the intruders and deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd outside of the building. A government official stated that seven police officers were injured in the violence and authorities arrested seven demonstrators. The demonstrations occurred despite a coronavirus-related prohibition on mass gatherings in place in Azerbaijan.

Analyst Comment: The current protests followed clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops on 14 July around the Tavush region in northeastern Armenia — located approximately 300 km (190 mi) north of the disputed Naghorno-Karabakh area — during which an Azerbaijani military general and five other Azerbaijani soldiers were killed. The latest fighting broke out in the region on 11 July and at least 16 people — including 11 Azerbaijani soldiers and one civilian as well as four Armenian soldiers — have been killed so far. The disputed Naghorno-Karabakh area has been under the control of ethnic Armenians supported by the Armenian government since the end of a war in 1994, although the area is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory.

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Israel (Security threat level – 3): On the evening of 14 July 2020, several thousand anti-corruption activists gathered in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence and elsewhere in Jerusalem, demanding his resignation over corruption allegations. Later in the evening, scuffles broke out between police officers and demonstrators, and security forces deployed water cannons against demonstrators. Police officers detained approximately 50 individuals on charges of damaging property, disrupting public order and attacking police officers. In Paris Square, demonstrators set trash cans on fire and threw objects at police officers, who detained 19 protesters. Subsequently, demonstrators marched through central Jerusalem and temporarily blocked the city’s light rail in the late night hours, after which police officers forcibly cleared the rail and detained nine more individuals.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Sub-Saharan Africa: On 15 July 2020, the Ivorian National Security Council lifted a coronavirus-related isolation order on the Greater Abidjan area, and extended the existing state of emergency as well as the land and maritime border closures through at least 30 July. Individuals are required to wear face masks in all public spaces. Bars, clubs and other such entertainment venues remain closed until further notice.

In Madagascar, officials extended an existing health state of emergency through at least 25 July and warned that the measure is likely to be extended further. Under the state of emergency, travel between regions is severely restricted and face masks are required in all public places. Additional restrictions vary by region and include restricted operating hours for businesses, nightly curfews, and limitations on public transportation, which is banned in the central Analamanga region — where the capital Antananarivo is located — and restricted in others.

In Zimbabwe, authorities announced a halt on further reopening of commercial activities. Additionally, authorities will institute localized lockdowns in areas with a concentration of COVID-19 cases — particularly the capital Harare and Bulawayo, which is located approximately 440 km (275 mi) southwest of Harare. However, inter-city public transport will resume for essential travel, such as obtaining necessary medical treatment.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Guatemala (Security threat level – 4): On 14 July 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City issued a Message for U.S. Citizens regarding vehicle restrictions and modified curfew hours, which read in part as follows:

"Restrictions on Vehicular Mobility: In the departments of Guatemala, Escuintla, Sacatepequez, Suchitepequez, Izabal, El Progreso, Zacapa, Santa Rosa and Quetzaltenango, all personal vehicles with license plates that end in an odd number (for example P001AAA) are permitted to circulate Monday, July 13; Wednesday, July 15, Friday, July 17; Tuesday, July 21; Thursday, July 23, and Saturday, July 25. All personal vehicles with license plates that end in an even number (for example P002AAA) are permitted to circulate on Tuesday, July 14; Thursday, July 16; Saturday, July 18; Monday, July 20; Wednesday, July 22; and Friday, July 24. Motorcycles, pedestrians, and other modes of non-vehicular transportation are exempt from these restrictions. All private vehicular mobility will be restricted on Sunday, July 19 and Sunday, July 26.

"Curfew Hours: Guatemala’s national mandatory curfew remains in place, running from 6:00 p.m. each evening through 5:00 a.m. the following day. In addition, an extended curfew will be in place on weekends, beginning Saturday, July 18 and Saturday, July 25 at 2 p.m., and extending through 5:00 a.m. the following Monday. This means that a full 24-hour curfew will be in place on Sunday, July 19 and Sunday, July 26. Every individual in Guatemala — including U.S. citizens — is required to remain inside their domicile during curfew hours (with exceptions for health and security, restaurant delivery services, certain media and legal personnel in pursuit of their duties, and patients receiving urgent treatment for chronic conditions)."

The full text of the Message can be read here .

Lesser Antilles (Security threat level – 1): On 15 July 2020, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for St. Lucia, which reads in part as follows: 

“You must remain at your COVID-certified accommodation for the duration of your stay in St Lucia unless you are on an excursion arranged by the hotel. You may not leave the property by vehicle or on foot during your stay.

“Amongst the required protocols, hotels must sanitize luggage upon check in; maintain a fully equipped nurses station; observe strict detailed sanitization protocols for housekeeping; maintain required distance with tables for dining; and have hand sanitizer stations installed throughout the property.” 

Venezuela (Security threat level – 5): On 14 July 2020, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for Venezuela, which reads in part as follows: 

“Commercial flights to and from Venezuela remain very limited. Check with your travel company for the latest information.

“Domestic and international regular commercial flights are meant to progressively re-start from 13 August 2020 onwards.”