Argentina / Panama (Security threat levels – 3 / 3): On 17 June 2020, LATAM Airlines Group announced the indefinite suspension of all operations by its subsidiary in Argentina due to local COVID-19 conditions. The airline will no longer operate domestic passenger and cargo aircraft in Argentina. Other airlines in the LATAM Airlines Group will continue to operate international routes to Brazil, Chile, Peru and the U.S once border restrictions are relaxed. The airline is the second largest operator in Argentina behind state-owned airline Aerolineas Argentinas.
In Panama, the Civil Aviation Authority extended the current suspension of international commercial flights until 22 July. The ban was initially enacted on 22 March to slow the spread of COVID-19 and has since been extended four times. A nightly curfew during 1900-0500 local time (0000-1000 UTC) is in place across the country except in the provinces of Panama and Panama Oeste — where gender-based movement restrictions were reimposed on 8 June.
Australia / Japan (Security threat levels – 2 / 1): On 18 June 2020, officials in Australia’s Northern Territory announced that domestic travelers entering the state will no longer be required to self-quarantine for 14 days beginning on 17 July. However, they must present a completed arrival form and provide additional information on lodging and travel plans. Local police officers and members of the Australian Defense Force are expected to continue monitoring the borders for an additional 14 days after the regional quarantine ends. The Northern Territory has not recorded a new case of COVID-19 since 21 May. Officials have warned that border restrictions may be reimposed without advance warning if COVID-19 cases reemerge in the region.
In a related development, Qantas Airways — Australia’s flag carrier — announced that most of its international flights will be suspended until late October amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The decision follows the tourism minister’s announcement that the country’s border is likely to remain closed until early 2021. A limited number of international flights are expected to resume for select foreign nationals, including students and long-term visitors. Meanwhile, the airline noted that domestic flights will likely increase to 15% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of June.
In Japan, authorities will lift all restrictions on inter-prefectural travel on 19 June. Additionally, the number of people allowed at public events, such as concerts, will be raised to 1,000 from 100. Requests for entertainment venues, such as nightclubs, to remain closed will be lifted as well. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo announced that negotiations are underway to allow reciprocal entry privileges with Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam.
Czech Republic / North Macedonia (Security threat levels – 2 / 3): On 18 June 2020, officials in the Czech Republic announced that they will cancel the requirement to wear face masks on 1 July in areas deemed low-risk for COVID-19 transmission. Individuals in other regions — such as the capital Prague and Karviná region — with higher numbers of COVID-19 cases will continue to be required to wear face masks in all public spaces and on public transportation. Meanwhile, regions with little to no new COVID-19 cases will no longer require face masks; however, officials have warned that the measure may be reinstated if a region experiences a sudden increase in daily reported COVID-19 cases.
In North Macedonia, all land border crossings reopened to foreign nationals on 17 June amid the declining number of daily COVID-19 cases. All travelers are required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival and undergo a temperature check before crossing the border. Individuals who are unable to provide proof of negative test results will be required to quarantine for at least 14 days. Travelers transiting through the country will not be required to present a valid COVID-19 test if the transit time is less than five hours.
Angola (Security threat level – 3): On 17 June 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Luanda issued a Health Alert regarding coronavirus-related restrictions in Angola, which reads in part as follows:
"The Angolan Ministry of Health has confirmed 148 cases of COVID-19 in Angola. Angola remains under a continued State of Calamity. Under the rules of the State of Calamity, health centers and hospitals may resume full operations; businesses may resume full operations with 75 percent staffing; restaurants may reopen any day of the week until 10:30 p.m.; public transportation may operate at 75 percent of passenger capacity; and hotel and guest houses may reopen to the public. Face masks are still required when shopping, on public transportation, and in any public offices, and the measure also calls for adherence to social distancing. Angola remains closed to passenger flights, however, the government has announced that commercial flights may resume June 30. Land borders remain closed for all but commercial transport, and Luanda Province remains closed to overland personal travel or domestic passenger flights. Visit the local government Ministry of Health website for updated information and a complete timetable for reopening."
Bolivia (Security threat level – 3): On 17 June 2020, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for Bolivia, which reads in part as follows:
“Special, short- term quarantine measures will apply in La Paz department (including the city of La Paz) from 12:01am on 20 June to 5am on 23 June. Nobody will be allowed outside during this time. No vehicles, public or private, will be allowed to circulate.”
Chile (Security threat level – 2): On 17 June 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Santiago issued Health Alert regarding the extensive expansion of city-level quarantines across Chile, which reads in part as follows:
"As of June 17, the Ministry of Health has confirmed 220,628 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 June 17:
"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 entire alert from the U.S. Embassy is available here .
Mexico (Security threat level – 4): On 17 June 2020 the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City issued a Security Alert regarding maritime piracy in the Bay of Campeche area, which reads in part as follows:
"Location: Bay of Campeche and Areas of the Southern Gulf of Mexico
"Event: Maritime Travel Safety in the Bay of Campeche and Southern Gulf of Mexico
"Armed criminal groups have been known to target and rob commercial vessels, oil platforms, and offshore supply vessels in the Bay of Campeche area in the southern Gulf of Mexico. The U.S. Department of State updated the Travel Advisory and Country Information page for Mexico on June 17, 2020, to reflect this information.
"The overall Travel Advisory level for Mexico remains Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution, with some areas designated Level 3 or Level 4. Travelers are encouraged to read the entire Advisory. The national and state Advisory levels remain unchanged from the update published on December 19, 2019."
The full text of the alert can be read here .
Rwanda (Security threat level – 3): On 17 June 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Kigali issued a Health Alert regarding updated coronavirus restrictions, which reads in part as follows:
"On June 16, the Rwandan Ministry of Health confirmed 636 cases of COVID-19 in Rwanda.
"On June 16, the government of Rwanda announced updated COVID-19 prevention measures.
The full text of the alert is available here .
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