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Worldview Security Update – July 28, 2020
28-Jul-20

ASIA

Vietnam / India (Security threat levels – 3 / 3): On 28 July 2020, Vietnamese authorities suspended domestic flights, in addition to all bus and train services, to and from the coastal city of Danang until 12 August. Officials had planned to evacuate approximately 80,000 primarily domestic tourists from Danang before suspending transportation. Any remaining previously authorized evacuation flights are now canceled. Additionally, officials requested that residents in the Cam Le, Hai Chau, Lieu Chieu, Ngu Hanh Son, Son Tra and Thankh Khe districts of Danang remain at home.

In India’s West Bengal state, the chief minister on 28 July extended the statewide biweekly lockdown order through 31 August; the measure was scheduled to expire on 31 July. Under the extension, 29 July as well as 2, 5, 8, 9, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 31 August will be lockdown dates. During the lockdown, nonessential businesses will remain closed, and residents may only leave their homes for essential purposes, such as to obtain food or seek medical care. Lockdown measures will not be in effect during the Eid al-Adha and Independence Day holidays on 30-31 July and 15 August, respectively.

EUROPE

Germany / Belgium (Security threat levels – 3 / 3): On 27 July 2020, the German health minister announced that all inbound travelers from locations designated as high risk for COVID-19 transmission will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival beginning the week of 2 August. Currently, the government classifies approximately 130 countries as high risk, including the U.S. In addition to airports, authorities will begin establishing COVID-19 testing areas at bus and rail stations as well as at border crossings. Travelers reportedly will not incur the cost of testing.

In Belgium, as of 29 July residents may visit a maximum of five people as part of a mandated smaller “social bubble,” which limits the number of contacts with whom individuals may interact; the previous limit was set at 15 people per household. Indoor gatherings are now limited to 100 attendees, while outdoor gatherings may have 200 attendees. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from the order. Additionally, officials in the city of Antwerp, the second largest city in Belgium, imposed a nightly curfew during 2330-0600 local time (2130-0400 local time), effective immediately until further notice. Exemptions are in place for essential work or emergencies. The use of a protective face mask is mandatory in Antwerp’s public areas and in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained.

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Kuwait (Security threat level – 2): On 28 July 2020, authorities began the third phase of the country’s five-phase reopening plan. Under the current phase, a nightly curfew is in effect from 2100 to 0300 local time (1800-0000 UTC). Additionally, government offices will be staffed at 50% capacity, and hotels and other lodging may reopen. Individuals are now allowed to visit nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Taxi services have resumed across Kuwait, but only one passenger is allowed per vehicle. Phase three is scheduled to last until 18 August, but authorities may extend it in response to changing COVID-19 infection rates.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Sub-Saharan Africa: As of 28 July 2020, governments across the Sub-Saharan Africa region continue to amend policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Burkina Faso, Burundi and Rwanda, officials plan to ease some entry restrictions while maintaining quarantine and testing requirements for all arrivals. Meanwhile, the leaders of Kenya and Nigeria extended nationwide coronavirus-related restrictions.

In Burkina Faso authorities in Burkina Faso confirmed on 27 July that international commercial flight operations will resume on 1 August. Officials plan to have a thermal scanner present at Ouagadougou’s Thomas Sankara International Airport Ouagadougou (DFFD/OUA) to measure body temperatures of inbound travelers, but no other information regarding entry requirements is currently available. Conversely, land and sea borders will remain closed until further notice.

In Burundi, authorities confirmed on 27 July that land borders will reopen beginning 1 August. Individuals entering Burundi will be required to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival and quarantine for 14 days at a government-designated facility. Travelers will also have their temperatures checked and be subject to a second COVID-19 test. The second test is voluntary, but those whose test results are negative may exit quarantine once results return. Conversely, air borders remain closed, and authorities have not yet stated when international commercial flight operations will resume.

In Rwanda, officials confirmed plans to reopen all land and air borders as of 1 August. Inbound travelers will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel and will be screened upon arrival in Rwanda. Travelers are required to enter a government-designated quarantine facility while they wait for the results of the second COVID-19 test. The quarantine period may last for a full 14 days.

In Kenya, President Uhuru Kenyatta extended an existing nationwide curfew for an additional 30 days on 27 July. Curfew hours are from 2100 to 0400 local time (1800-0100 UTC). Under the current coronavirus-related measures, restaurants are not permitted to serve alcohol and must close by 1900 local time, while bars must remain closed altogether.

In Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari extended existing nationwide coronavirus-related lockdown measures through 6 August; the lockdown was initially scheduled to expire on 28 July. Officials stated that the extension was necessary due to potential gatherings during Eid al-Adha celebrations on the first week of August. A nationwide nightly curfew from 2200 to 0600 local time (2100 to 0500 UTC) remains in effect.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Chile (Security threat level – 2): On 27 July 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Santiago issued a Health Alert regarding Chilean cities entering quarantine measures, which reads in part as follows:

"As of July 27, the Ministry of Health has confirmed 347,923 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 27:

  • The introduction of quarantines for the following comunas (begins Wednesday, July 29 at 10:00 pm): La Serena (IV Region), Coquimbo (IV Region), Puerto Montt (X Region)

"For more information on the Chilean government’s “Paso a Paso” program, and what is permitted during each phase, please visit this website (Spanish only)."

Peru (Security threat level – 3): On 27 July 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Lima issued an Alert regarding a nightly curfew and movement restrictions, which reads in part as follows:

"Location: Peru (countrywide)

"Curfew and Domestic Travel Restriction Areas: The government of Peru extended the curfew to the provinces of Jaén and San Ignacio in the Cajamarca region as well as the province of La Convención in the Cusco region. With this modification, there is now a mandatory daily curfew from 8 pm to 4 am as well as an all-day Sunday curfew in the following regions of Peru:

  • Áncash (entire region)
  • Arequipa (entire region)
  • Cajamarca (only the provinces of Jaén and San Ignacio)
  • Cusco (only the province of La Convención)
  • Huánuco (entire region)
  • Ica (entire region)
  • Junín (entire region)
  • Madre de Dios (entire region)
  • San Martín (entire region)

"Travel by air and by land is prohibited to and from areas where quarantine is still in effect."

The full text of the Alert can be read here .