Bahamas / British Virgin Islands / Dominican Republic / Haiti / Puerto Rico / Turks & Caicos Islands / U.S. Virgin Islands / Cuba (Security threat levels – 2 / 1 / 3 / 4 / 2 / 1 / 1 / 2): As of 0800 local time (1200 UTC) on 30 July 2020, Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine had strengthened into Tropical Storm Isaias and was located approximately 175 km (105 mi) east-southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and about 205 km west of Ponce, Puerto Rico, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. At that time, the storm was moving northwest at 31 kph (20 mph) and had maximum sustained winds of 95 kph, with higher gusts. On its current path, Isaias is forecast to move over Hispaniola by the evening of 30 July and pass near southeastern Bahamas by early on 1 August.
Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to produce 75-150 mm (3-6 in) of rain, with isolated maximums of up to 250 mm, throughout Cuba, the British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Additionally, between 102-203 mm of rain is forecast for portions of the Bahamas and Dominican Republic. The rainfall may cause life-threatening mudslides and flooding. Dangerous swells are expected for portions of these areas through 30 July.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect across for the southeastern and central Bahamas islands, the British Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos and the U.S. Virgin Islands, while a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the northwestern Bahamas islands. Those with interests in these areas, as well as in Cuba or on the Florida Peninsula in the U.S., should keep abreast of the progress of the storm.
Brazil / Dominican Republic / Paraguay (Security threat levels – 3 / 3 / 3): On 29 July 2020, the Brazilian government partially lifted its ban on international commercial flights into the country and extended an existing entry ban for travelers at all land and maritime ports of entry until at least 29 August. Travelers must provide proof of purchased health insurance that is valid in Brazil. International flights remain suspended at airports in the states of Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraiba, Rondônia, Rio Grande do Sul and Tocantins.
In the Dominican Republic, as of 30 July all travelers must provide evidence of negative results on an RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken within five days of travel. Passengers without proof of negative test results will be administered a test upon arrival. Travelers who test positive for COVID-19 or exhibit symptoms of the virus will be transferred to isolation centers set up by the government.
In Paraguay, the minister of health announced on 29 July that a new 15-day lockdown will be implemented in the Alto Paraná department due to a rise in cases of COVID-19. The lockdown will be in place from 30 July to 13 August, during which all nonessential movement is banned. Following the announcement, approximately 1,000 people gathered in the microcenter and near the Friendship Bridge of Ciudad del Este, the capital of Alto Paraná, to protest the lockdown order. Overnight on 29-30 July, rioting and looting occurred, as some groups of demonstrators threw stones, vandalized cargo trucks, robbed local businesses and clashed with police officers. According to authorities, 54 people were arrested during the unrest.
India / Myanmar (Security threat levels – 3 / 4): On 30 July 2020, authorities in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu – of which Chennai is the capital — extended an existing statewide lockdown until at least 31 August. Restrictions remain in place on nonessential businesses and places of worship. Cafes and restaurants may operate in-person dining services at 50% capacity from 0600 to 1900 local time (0130 to 1430 UTC), while takeaway services are permitted from 0600 to 2100 local time. Grocery stores may operate during these hours as well; all other shops are permitted to operate from 1000-1900 local time daily. In addition, a more restrictive lockdown will be in effect statewide every Sunday during the month of August. On Sundays, residents must remain in their homes, with exceptions for emergency situations, and all shops will be closed.
In Myanmar, the government on 29 July extended the current suspension of all international commercial flights into and out of the country through 31 August. All travelers, including Myanmar nationals, arriving to the country through any port of entry must show proof of negative results on a COVID-19 test taken prior to arrival, and will be subject to temperature checks and other health screenings upon entry. All arrivals will be required to undergo a 21-day mandatory quarantine in a government-designated facility followed by an additional seven-day self-quarantine in their place of residence. Foreign nationals may request authorization to undergo a shorter quarantine period from the nearest Myanmar Embassy in their country of departure. Approvals for shortened quarantine periods will be given on a case-by-case basis.
Kuwait / Lebanon (Security threat levels – 2 / 4): On 30 July 2020, Kuwaiti authorities announced an entry ban on residents of Bangladesh, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka due to concerns over COVID-19. Residents of these countries will be prohibited from traveling to Kuwait until further notice. Additionally, Kuwaiti officials announced that U.S. nationals will not be eligible for electronic visas or visas on arrival when commercial flights to Kuwait resume on 1 August.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese government on 29 July announced revised entry requirements for travelers to Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (OLBA/BEY) effective from 1 August until further notice. From that date, all arriving passengers are required to provide negative results from an RT-PCR test taken within four days of travel in order to receive a boarding pass for flights to Lebanon. All travelers will be administered an RT-PCR test on arrival and must self-isolate in their own accommodations if arriving from countries with low rates of COVID-19 infection, or in government-designated hotels if arriving from countries with high infection rates. Travelers will be administered another test 72 hours after arrival and are required to use a mobile tracking application. Authorities also announced additional details regarding recently reimposed nationwide restrictions, including the closure of most nonessential businesses and places of worship until at least 10 August. During a nationwide lockdown from 30 July-3 August and from 6-10 August, nonessential travel will be prohibited and all nonessential businesses will close; however, restaurants will be allowed to provide takeout or delivery services from 0600 to 2000 local time (0300 to 1700 UTC).
Tanzania / Zambia (Security threat levels – 3 / 3): On 29 July 2020, the government of Tanzania amended its entry requirements for foreign travelers. All inbound travelers must now present proof of negative results on a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to travel. All arriving passengers will be subject to temperature screenings and other health measures and — at the discretion of health officials — a 14-day quarantine period at a government-designated facility at the traveler’s expense. In addition, travelers must provide authorities with contact details and other information, including the location of their accommodations, upon entry.
Meanwhile, the government of Zambia revised its entry requirements on 29 July for all arriving travelers effective immediately and until further notice. All passengers eligible to enter the country must provide proof of negative results on a COVID-19 test taken within 14 days prior to travel. In addition, all arrivals will be subject to additional health screenings and tests upon entry, including a COVID-19 nasal swab test. Arriving passengers are required to self-isolate for 14 days and may be required to provide health officials with their contact information, including the address of their accommodation. All tourist visas remain suspended until further notice.
Zimbabwe (Security threat level – 4): On 29 July 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Harare issued a Demonstration Alert that reads in part as follows:
"Location: Harare and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Announced gathering points include, but are not limited to, the following neighborhoods:
"Event: Local political figures have called for a potentially large protest against the Zimbabwean government and corruption on July 31 while others have called for counter-protests. There is a real possibility for clashes between the opposing groups of protesters and security forces. ·
"Past demonstrations have been met with aggressive tactics by police to suppress protests. Crackdowns by security forces in high density areas leading up to and immediately following civil disturbances and internet/social media interruptions are possible."
The full text of the alert is available here .
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