Costa Rica / Cuba / Puerto Rico (Security threat levels – 3 / 2 / 2): On 18 June 2020, Cuban authorities lifted coronavirus-related restrictions for most provinces as part of the first phase of reopening the economy. In all provinces — except for the provinces of Havana and Matanzas — beaches, bars, gyms, swimming pools and restaurants can reopen with limits on the number of people admitted and on operating hours. Public and private transport services can also resume with limits on the number of passengers. Foreign nationals will be permitted on five islands of Cuba’s keys beginning on 1 July; officials have not yet announced a date for when foreign travelers will be permitted to ingress the mainland.
In Puerto Rico, the government announced that it will lift restrictions on foreign tourists on 15 July during the final phase of the island’s four-phase reopening plan. International flights to and from the island are slated to resume, while hotels and other businesses in the tourism sector are set to reopen. San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (TJSJ/SJU) will implement safety standards to curb the spread of COVID-19. The current guideline, which requires all arriving passengers to observe a 14-day self-quarantine, will likely be annulled for individuals who provide a negative COVID-19 test. Moreover, airport officials are expected to implement temperature checks for passengers upon arrival and enforce the use of face masks on the aircraft and at the airport.
Singapore (Security threat level – 1): On 19 June 2020, Singapore entered the second phase of its three-phase plan to ease coronavirus-related restrictions. Under the second phase, most businesses and public facilities have begun reopening. Schools, sports venues, recreational and outdoor facilities are also reopening. In addition, social gatherings of up to five people are permitted. Residents must continue to adhere to social distancing rules, maintain a physical distance of 1 m (3 ft) and wear face masks when in public. Phase two will remain in place until further notice.
Turkey / United Kingdom (Security threat levels – 4 / 3): As of 18 June 2020, individuals in the Turkish cities of Ankara, Bursa and Istanbul are required to wear face masks in public at all times to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Face coverings are now mandatory in at least 48 of the 81 Turkish provinces. As of 22 June, violators will face monetary fines that differ between districts and provinces. Violators in Istanbul face fines of 900 Turkish lira (about 130 U.S. dollars).
In the U. K., medical officials on 19 June lowered the country’s COVID-19 alert level to a Level 3 from a Level 4 on a five-tier scale. The Level 3 Alert indicates that the virus is in general circulation and that transmission is no longer “high or rising exponentially.” Separately, officials at London City Airport (EGLC/LCY) are set to resume flight operations at the facility as of 21 June. The airport will initially serve domestic flights, with anticipated resumption of flights to and from the cities of Dublin, Edinburgh and Glasgow in early July. Additionally, flights to the Italian city of Florence as well as the Spanish cities of Ibiza and Málaga are scheduled. Access to the terminal will be restricted to passengers with a valid reservation on the day of travel. Those traveling through the facility must wear face coverings and are subject to temperature screenings. The airport suspended operations on 25 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Middle East and North Africa: As of 19 June 2020, governments in the Middle East and North Africa region continue to revise disease-control measures in view of the continued threat of COVID-19. Information regarding the latest developments in Algeria, Iraq, Israel and Kuwait is outlined below.
Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad on 18 June ordered security personnel to enforce social distancing measures in public areas throughout the country, including by force if necessary.
In Iraq, on 19 June officials in the northern Erbil province enacted restrictions after health authorities recorded a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. Until at least 1 July, recreational and leisure facilities — including gyms, resorts and parks — will remain closed, and nightly curfew for all businesses will be imposed from 2200 to 0500 local time (1900 to 0200 UTC). In addition, inter-provincial travel ban will also remain in place until 1 July.
Israeli authorities on 18 June imposed a lockdown on the towns of Rahat and Arara, which are located in the Negev Desert, until 25 June in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, authorities are scheduled to impose restrictions on the Ajami, Tzahalon and Shikunei Hisachon neighborhoods of Jaffa beginning on 26 June. All educational institutions will be closed and gatherings of more than 10 people will be prohibited in these three neighborhoods.
In Kuwait, authorities announced that the countrywide nightly curfew will be shortened effective 21 June. Beginning on that date, the nightly curfew will be in effect during 1900-0500 local time (1600-0200 UTC). Officials have gradually reduced the duration of the nightly curfew — which began as a 12-hour curfew in May — during the last several weeks.
France (Security threat level – 3): On 19 June 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Paris issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows:
“Location: Paris (Place de la Concorde, Place de la Nation, Place de la Bastille, Place de la République) and possibly major cities in France.
“Event: Demonstrations by various groups protesting police violence are scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2020. All gatherings greater than 10 people remain prohibited under COVID-19 social distancing provisions. However, certain groups could defy these instructions and carry on with planned demonstrations, prompting police intervention.”
Georgia (Security threat level – 3): On 19 June 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows:
“Location: Parliament-downtown Tbilisi, June 20, 2020
“Event: A large rally entitled “Together Against Occupation” is scheduled to take place in front of the Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue in downtown Tbilisi on Saturday, June 20 at approximately 1900 hours. The event is being held to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the June 20-21 protests against the Russian occupation of Georgian territory during which police and demonstrators clashed, resulting in numerous injuries and more than six months of related protest activity.”
Hungary (Security threat level – 2): On 19 June 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Budapest issued a Demonstration Alert regarding a planned protest in the city, which reads in part as follows:
"Location: Szabadsag Square, V. District, Budapest, Hungary
"Event: On Saturday, June 20th, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, a “demonstration against racism in Hungary” will take place in Szabadság tér (Square), Budapest, Hungary."
Portugal (Security threat level – 2): On 19 June 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon issued an alert on existing travel restrictions to Portugal, which reads in part as follows:
"The Government of Portugal extended current travel restrictions on non-essential travel (tourism) through June 30, 2020. Exceptions to the travel restrictions include entry, transit, and exit of Portuguese nationals or third country nationals who have a valid residence permit or long-term visa. For clarification on eligibility for transit, entry or exit requirements, contact the Portuguese Embassy or nearest Portuguese Consulate in the U.S., or follow the Portuguese Immigration website (FAQ in English)."
Turkey (Security threat level – 4): On 19 June 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara issued a Health Alert regarding the upcoming weekend curfews, which reads in part as follows:
"New Updates:
-Between 09:00 and 15:00 on June 20
-Between 09:30 and 15:00 on June 27
-Between 09:30 and 18:30 on June 28
The full text of the alert is available here .
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