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Worldview Security Update – July 2, 2020
2-Jul-20

AMERICAS

  • Brazil / Lesser Antilles
  • Mexico
  • United States

ASIA

  • Thailand / India / Pakistan

EUROPE

  • Greece

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

  • Ethiopia

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Czech Republic
  • Portugal

Hot Spots Report

AMERICAS

Brazil / Lesser Antilles (Security threat levels – 3 / 1): On 1 July 2020, the Brazilian government extended a decree banning foreigners from entering the country by air, land or sea through the end of July. The government initially imposed the travel ban in mid-March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the current extension, officials outlined additional exemptions for short-term foreign travelers arriving to Brazil by air for artistic, sporting or business activities. Government officials stated that the travel ban will not apply to foreign nationals entering Brazil to carry out the following activities: research, teaching or academic study, work, or family reunification. Additional information is available below in the Government Warnings section.

In Curaçao, the government on 1 July initiated the first phase of reopening the country’s borders by allowing travelers from Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands to enter the country. Travelers are required to fill out an online digital immigration card, which is available here . Additionally, travelers are required to complete a Passenger Locator Card (PLC) and carry the printed document, as well as carry a printed document proving a negative result from a certified COVID-19 PCR-test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure to Curaçao.

Mexico (Security threat level – 4): During the early evening of 1 July 2020, gunmen opened fire on people inside an unregistered drug rehabilitation center in the Jardines de Arandas neighborhood of Irapuato, Mexico state, located approximately 70 km (45 mi) southeast of León, the largest city in Guanajuato state. Reports indicate that the gunmen entered the building and fired indiscriminately before fleeing the scene. The assailants killed 24 people and wounded seven others in the attack. Mexico state’s governor later stated that drug gangs were involved in the event; the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is engaged in a turf battle with the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel in the region, The shooting is the second such attack on a drug rehabilitation facility in Irapuato in the past month; on 6 June gunmen attacked another rehabilitation facility, killing 10 people.

United States (Security threat level – 2): Beginning on 3 July 2020, the government of the northeastern-most U.S. state of Maine will no longer require residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut states to observe a 14-day self-quarantine period or present proof of a negative COVID-19 test as an alternative upon arrival in Maine. Residents of New Hampshire and Vermont remain exempt from Maine’s requirements for inbound travelers. All other travelers to Maine are able to present a negative COVID-19 test administered within 72 hours prior to arrival in order to avoid the self-quarantine requirement; visitors can take the COVID-19 test upon arrival in Maine but need to self-quarantine at least until the results become available.

ASIA

Thailand / India / Pakistan (Security threat levels – 3 / 3 / 5): The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced updated entry requirements on 2 July 2020. International commercial flights still may not enter the country. Only state or military aircraft, emergency landing flights, technical flights without disembarkation, aid flights, repatriation flights, cargo flights and “passenger flights carrying the persons permitted to enter Thailand” are allowed. Individuals allowed to enter Thailand include the following: Thai nationals, travelers invited by the government, diplomats, deliverers of essential goods, flight crew, foreign relatives of Thai nationals, permanent residents, foreign work permit holders, students, non-COVID-19 medical patients and travelers who have special arrangements with foreign countries. All travelers must obtain an entry certificate from a Thai diplomatic mission prior to travel. The full text of the CAA statement can be read here .

In India, the government of Telangana state — where Hyderabad is located — extended the statewide lockdown order through 31 July. Under the order, nonessential businesses remain closed, and a nightly curfew is in effect from 2200 to 0500 local time (0430 to 2330 UTC). Meanwhile in Pakistan, authorities extended the lockdown in Lahore, the country’s second-largest city, through at least 15 July. Under the order, nonessential businesses are required to close. However, grocery stores and medical facilities remain open. Inter-city transportation also remain operational.

EUROPE

Greece (Security threat level – 3): On 1 July 2020, regional airports in Greece reopened for direct flights from airports in 27 EU member countries and an additional 14 non-member countries that the European Council deemed safe given local COVID-19 transmission rates the previous day. Flights from the following non-EU countries are now allowed to operate to Greece: Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. Flights from EU countries have been operating through Athens International Airport (LGAV/ATH) and Thessaloniki International Airport (LGTS/SKG) since 15 June and will now also be allowed to operate to other Greek airports. Flights from Sweden and the U.K., however, remain banned until at least 15 July.
Individuals traveling to Greece must complete an Online Passenger Locator Form (PLF) at least 48 hours prior to their arrival; additional information outlined by the Greek government is available here .

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Ethiopia (Security threat level – 4): On the afternoon of 2 July 2020, at least one explosion reportedly occurred in the capital Addis Ababa, as internal unrest continues in the capital and across the adjacent Oromia region over the 29 June killing of a popular Oromo musician. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the blast was caused by a grenade detonated in a crowded area. At least eight people have reportedly been killed, and an unknown number were injured. The situation remains volatile and additional information is currently unavailable as access to internet and mobile data services remain unavailable in Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, security forces allegedly fired live ammunition into the air to disperse people gathered to attend the musician’s funeral in Ambo, located approximately 110 km (70 mi) west of Addis Ababa. There have been no reports of widespread clashes or casualties in Ambo. Military personnel have deployed to the city to restore order and prevent additional violence. At least 81 people have been killed since protests broke out on 30 June over the death of the musician.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Brazil (Security threat level – 3): On 1 July 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia issued an alert regarding Brazil’s border closures and new exemptions for foreign travelers conducting specific activities, which reads in part as follows:

"… Brazil extended for an additional 30 days (through July 29) the decree banning foreigners from entering the country by air, land, and sea. This is an extension of previous border closures and includes new exemptions. Those in the following categories are exempt:

  • Brazilian citizens, born or naturalized
  • Permanent residents of Brazil
  • National Immigration Registry Card Holders (Registro Nacional Migratório – RNM)
  • Foreign professionals employed by a non-governmental aid organization recognized by the Brazilian government
  • Foreign officials accredited by the Brazilian government
  • Spouse, domestic partner, son or daughter, father or mother, or caregiver of a Brazilian citizen
  • A foreigner of any nationality who has a visit visa granted for a short stay, with no intention of establishing residence, or of those for whom the visiting visa is waived, for the purpose of performing artistic, sporting or business activities.
  • Any foreigner of any nationality who comes to the country in order to establish residence for a specific time and who has a temporary visa for the following purposes: research, teaching or academic extension; study; work; making an investment; family reunion; or artistic or sports activities with a fixed-term contract.
  • Any person whose entrance into Brazil is deemed by the government to be in the public interest.
  • Travelers in transit in one of the following categories: Cargo delivery, international passengers making a connection who do not leave the international transit area, passengers required to disembark for aircraft refueling or repairs, flight crews."

The entire U.S. Embassy alert — which outlines additional requirement for foreign arrivals in Brazil — is available here .
Chile (Security threat level – 2): On 1 July 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Santiago issued a Health Alert regarding city-level quarantine measures across Chile, which reads in part as follows:

"As of July 1, the Ministry of Health has confirmed 282,043 cases of COVID-19 in Chile. The government of Chile has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. The following new measures were announced by the Chilean government on July 1: 

  • Extension of quarantine for Gran Santiago as well as six nearby comunas until Friday, July 10
  • Extension of quarantines for the following additional comunas until Friday, July 10: Iquique (I Region), Alto Hospicio (I Region), Pozo Almonte (I Region), San Felipe (V Region), Los Andes (V Region), Valparaíso (V Region), Viña del Mar (V Region), Quillota (V Region), San José de Maipo (RM), Calera de Tango (RM), Peñaflor (RM), Talagante (RM), El Monte (RM), Melipilla (RM), Curacaví (RM), Tiltil (RM), Rancagua (VI Region), Graneros (VI Region), Machalí (VI Region), Curicó (VII Region)
  • A sanitary cordon for the comunas of Lota and Coronel (VIII Region), beginning at 10:00 pm Friday, July 3

"For a full list of measures implemented by the Chilean government, please visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19. This webpage is updated daily."
The full U.S. Embassy Health Alert is available here .

Czech Republic (Security threat level – 2): On 2 July 2020, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for the Czech Republic, which reads in part as follows:

“If you are travelling from a country not considered to be low risk by the Czech government, you are only allowed to enter the Czech Republic for limited, specific purposes. Details of how countries are classified, and the regulations in place for travellers from those countries, can be found on the website of the Czech Ministry of Interior . ”

Portugal (Security threat level – 2): On 2 July 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon issued a Health Alert regarding a State of Alert and a prohibition of nonessential travel of U.S. citizen, which reads in part as follows:

"On July 1, the Government of Portugal decreed a State of Alert for Portugal. Some areas, including the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, remain under additional restrictions.

"Under the current travel restrictions, the Government of Portugal prohibits non-essential (tourist) travel to Portugal by U.S. citizens. [However, U.S. citizens can travel for essential reasons — such as business, study, medical treatment, or family visit — as of 1 July]. 

"Visit our COVID 19 page for details on the State of Alert and travel restrictions: https://pt.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ "