Americas: As of 2 November 2020, authorities throughout the Americas continue to amend policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Argentine authorities announced on 30 October that nationals of bordering countries may enter Argentina in order to visit the Buenos Aires metropolitan area for tourism purposes. Revised entry requirements are now in effect in the Bahamas, while authorities in Suriname extended nationwide restrictions until at least 8 November. The borders of St. Kitts and Nevis reopened to foreign travelers on 31 October.
On 30 October Argentine authorities announced that nationals and residents of bordering countries may enter Argentina for tourism purposes within the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. Travelers eligible to enter must show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival and purchase valid travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage. Entry is permitted through the Buquebus-operated Dársena Norte Terminal in the Port of Buenos Aires or via Ministro Pistarini International Airport (SAEZ/EZE). Interested travelers may request an entry authorization here.
In the Bahamas, authorities implemented revised coronavirus-related entry restrictions on 1 November. Travelers are no longer required to self-quarantine upon arrival, but they are required to obtain a negative result from a COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than five days prior to arrival as well as apply for a Bahamas Health Travel visa. Pilots and crew of commercial airlines who remain overnight and children 10 years of age and younger are exempt from the testing requirement. Travelers are also required to complete a daily online health questionnaire to track symptoms and take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test on the fifth day of their trip, unless they are exiting the Bahamas on day five.
In Suriname, a nationwide nightly curfew from 2200-0500 (0100-0800 UTC) remains in effect until at least 8 November. Most nonessential businesses remain closed and public and private gatherings are limited to 10 people or less. Face masks are mandatory in all indoor and outdoor public spaces. In addition, airports remain closed to international commercial traffic until at least 24 November; however, one flight per week continues to operate between Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (SMJP/PBM), which serves the capital Paramaribo, and Netherlands’ Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport (EHAM/AMS) for medical and repatriation purposes. Violators of the restrictions may be fined up to 10,000 Surinamese dollars (about 1,330 U.S. dollars) and may be sentenced to as much as six months in prison for repeat violations.
In St. Kitts and Nevis, authorities reopened the borders to all foreign travelers on 31 October. All passengers must complete and submit an entry form and show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to their arrival. Travelers are subject to additional health screenings and testing at the port of entry and must undergo a 14-day self-isolation in a government-approved hotel or similar accommodation, with progress tracked on the SKN COVID-19 contact tracing mobile app. Travelers must take additional COVID-19 PCR tests on days 7 and 14 of quarantine, and are responsible for the costs associated with these tests. Additional information is available here.
Canada (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 0030 local time (0430 UTC) on 1 November 2020, a 24-year-old man armed with a sword stabbed multiple people near the Chateau Frontenac in the Old Quebec area of Quebec City. The assailant, who was dressed in a medieval outfit on Halloween night, was taken into custody in the nearby Bassin Louise marina shortly after the stabbing. At least two people were killed and five others were wounded in the attack. Police officials believe the attacker selected his victims at random and has no association with any terrorist groups. An investigation to determine the definitive motive of the perpetrator remains underway.
Nicaragua / Honduras (Security threat levels – 4 / 4): As of 0600 local time (1100 UTC) on 2 November 2020, Hurricane Eta was located approximately 265 km (165 mi) east-northeast of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, and was moving west at 17 kph (10 mph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. At that time, Eta was generating maximum sustained winds of 150 kph, with higher gusts. On its current track, the storm is forecast to continue traveling west-southwest before making landfall along the northeastern coast of Nicaragua by early 3 November. Eta is then expected to move farther inland over northern Nicaragua on 4 November.
Through 6 November, the storm is forecast to produce 380-635 mm (15-25 in) of rain, with isolated maximums of 890 mm, in much of Nicaragua and Honduras; 255-510 mm of rain and isolated maximums of 635 mm in eastern Guatemala and southern Belize; 255-380 mm of rainfall with isolated maximums of 635 mm over portions of Panama and Costa Rica; between 125-255 mm of rainfall, with isolated maximums of 380 mm, over Jamaica and southeast Mexico; and 75-125 mm of rainfall with isolated maximums of 255 mm over El Salvador, Southern Haiti and the Cayman Islands.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the coast of Nicaragua from the Honduras/Nicaragua border to Sandy Bay Sirpi, Nicaragua. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the northeastern coast of Honduras from Punta Patuca to the Honduras/Nicaragua border. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the northern coast of Honduras from west of Punta Patuca to Punta Castilla.
United States (Security threat level – 2): On 30 October 2020, the governor of Tennessee issued an executive order extending the current state of emergency in place across the state and associated health measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 through 29 December. The emergency declaration was set to expire on 30 October before being extended. Under the extension, local and municipal leaders retain the authority to enact face mask requirements, restrictions on business operations or other health measures at their discretion. In addition, the order includes language expanding the availability of telehealth services and giving health care facilities greater flexibility to make staffing decisions to reduce capacity and personnel strains at hospitals throughout the state. The full text of the order is available here.
On 2 November the mayor of Washington, D.C., designated the states of California, Oregon and New Jersey as high-risk locations for COVID-19. As such, individuals traveling to the city for nonessential purposes from the aforementioned three states are now required to self-isolate for 14 days. A full list of states designated as high-risk is available here.
Afghanistan (Security threat level – 5): On 2 November 2020, at least three gunmen launched an attack on Kabul University, located in the Karte Sakhi district in southwestern Kabul. The attack started at approximately 1100 local time (0630 UTC), when the gunmen entered the university campus after one of them reportedly detonated his explosives near the eastern entrance of the facility. The assault lasted for approximately six hours until security personnel killed the remaining two gunmen. According to a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Interior Affairs Ministry, 19 people were killed and 22 others were wounded in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, although both the Taliban and Islamic State frequently carry out attacks in Kabul.
Asia: As of 2 November 2020, countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region continue to amend coronavirus-related policies. In Japan, officials are now allowing travelers from eight Asian countries to enter without applying for visas beforehand. Meanwhile, authorities in Sri Lanka and Azerbaijan extended lockdown orders, and Mongolian officials have extended a ban on international travel through 31 December.
In Japan, as of 1 November an entry ban on travelers from Australia, Brunei, China, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam is no longer in effect due to the low number of COVID-19 cases in those countries. Travelers from most other countries will still be required to apply for visas. Additionally, Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide announced that returning Japanese nationals and permanent residents will no longer be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine beginning on 1 November but will be subject to certain requirements. In order to qualify for the exemption, trips abroad must be seven days or less, returning travelers must avoid public transportation for 14 days after arrival, and travelers must submit itineraries to authorities upon return in order to assist with contact tracing.
In Sri Lanka, on 1 November authorities extended a total lockdown for Western province — including the capital Colombo — until at least 0500 local time on 9 November (2330 UTC on 8 November). During this period, all nonessential businesses are closed, and residents are permitted to leave their homes only to perform essential activities. However, travelers may transit through the province or Colombo provided they do not stop, and foreign nationals are permitted to travel to Bandaranaike International Airport (VCBI/CMB) to board departure flights out of the country.
In Azerbaijan, authorities extended the special quarantine regime in a number of municipalities until at least 1 December amid a surge in COVID-19 infections. Movement into or out of a number of cities in the regions of Guba, Lankaran, Jalilabad, Masalli, Sabirabad and Zagatala is suspended except for the movement of commercial cargo. Meanwhile, public transportation will remain suspended in eight cities and 13 regions — including the capital Baku — from 0000 local time (2000 UTC) on Fridays until 0600 local time (0200 UTC) the following Monday, effective from 31 October. The suspension runs every weekend in November and may be extended further depending on the health situation in the cities subject to the restriction.
In Mongolia, all international air and rail transportation into and out of the country remains suspended through at least 31 December; the suspension was originally set to expire on 31 October. Only Mongolian nationals and permanent residents are permitted to enter the country. Arriving travelers who receive authorization to enter must undergo a 21-day quarantine at a government-designated facility at their own expense, during which time they will be subject to regular health screens and COVID-19 tests.
Philippines (Security threat level – 4): As of 0900 UTC on 2 November 2020, Super Typhoon Goni – known in the Philippines as “Rolly” – has been downgraded to a tropical depression and was located approximately 1,040 km (650 mi) east of Da Nang, Vietnam, and was moving west-northwest at 17 kph (10 mph). At that time, Goni was generating maximum sustained winds of 56 kph, with gusts of up to 74 kph. On its current forecast path, the storm is expected to continue weakening before making landfall in southern Vietnam by 6 November.
On 1 November Goni made landfall near Atimonan in Quezon province. Approximately 458,000 people were evacuated beforehand, and at least 125 municipalities experienced power outages as a result of the storm. At least 16 people have been killed and thousands of homes have been destroyed. The hardest-hit areas are reportedly Albay and Catanduanes provinces, where authorities reported widespread flooding and landslides. In Catanduanes, communications and electricity lines are still down.
Belarus (Security threat level – 3): On 1 November 2020, riot police deployed stun grenades engaged in baton charges and fired live ammunition into the air to disperse thousands of anti-government protesters gathered in the capital Minsk as nationwide demonstrations continue against President Alexander Lukashenko’s victory in the 9 August presidential election. The demonstrators had marched through the city and were heading toward the Kurapaty memorial on the outskirts of Minsk when authorities arrived on the scene and began forcefully dispersing the crowd. At least 221 demonstrators were arrested; reports estimate that at least 20,000 people attended the protests. However, there were no reports of widespread clashes or casualties.
Europe: As of 2 November 2020, countries throughout Europe continue to impose lockdown orders in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19 amid a surge of new confirmed cases. In the U.K., a lockdown will be in effect in England from 5 November until 2 December. In Portugal, authorities recommended that residents in 121 municipalities adhere to social distancing guidelines. Additional restrictions will go into effect in Austria from 3 November and continue until at least 1 December. Meanwhile in Belgium, restrictions are currently in effect through 13 December. In Sweden, the government has extended the entry ban for travelers from most countries through 22 December and have added Canada and Georgia to the entry ban list.
In the U.K., a lockdown will begin in England as of 5 November and continue until at least 2 December. Under the order, all nonessential retail establishments must close, bars and restaurants may only offer takeout services and residents may only leave their homes for purposes such as exercise or to procure essential goods. Schools and universities will remain open.
Portuguese authorities on 31 October issued COVID-19 recommendations to 121 municipalities, including the capital Lisbon and Porto. Officials are requesting that residents stay home and restrict outside travel to essential activities, such as to procure food and medicine, go to work or school or to seek medical care. Businesses are requested to allow their employees to work remotely. Markets and retail establishments are requested to close by 2200 local time/UTC. Health officials will review the recommendations every 15 days. On 2 November the prime minister requested that the president Parliament pass a nationwide state of emergency that would allow the government to impose binding coronavirus-related restrictions.
In Austria, authorities plan to introduce additional restrictions beginning on 3 November, which will be in effect until at least 1 December. The measures include a nationwide nightly curfew from 2000-0600 local time (1900-0500 UTC). Cafes and restaurants must suspend in-person services and operate takeout or delivery only, while cultural centers and recreational facilities will be closed. However, most nonessential businesses will be permitted to remain open, subject to compliance with social distancing guidelines and other health measures.
In Belgium, additional nationwide restrictions are in effect from 2 November through 13 December. During this period, a nationwide nightly curfew from 0000-0500 local time (2200-0300 UTC) is in place; the curfew already in place since 26 October in Brussels and the Wallonia region runs from 2200-0600 local time. All nonessential businesses — including bars, cafes and restaurants — must close. Grocery stores and other essential businesses may remain open, but shopping must be done either alone or with one other person for no longer than 30 minutes. Cultural venues, indoor recreational facilities and zoos are likewise closed, while places of worship may stay open but cannot perform religious services. Residents are required to work remotely if possible. Additional information provided by the government is available here.
In Sweden, authorities have extended an existing entry ban for foreign travelers except nationals and residents of the EU, passport-free Schengen Area, the U.K. and select third countries until at least 22 December. As of 2 November, Canada and Georgia have been removed from the list of approved third countries from which nationals and residents may enter Sweden. The following countries will remain on the approved list: Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Uruguay.
Portugal (Security threat level – 2): On 30 October 2020, labor representatives announced that immigration officers at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (LPMA/FNC) — also called Madeira Airport — plan to hold a labor strike on 2, 9, 16 and 23 November. The action is expected to cause significant flight delays or cancellations at the facility and may disrupt flight operations at nearby airports in the Azores or Canary Islands.
Jordan (Security threat level – 3): On 29 October 2020, authorities partially reopened the land border crossings of Al-Mudawara, King Hussein Bridge and Sheikh Hussein Bridge to Jordanian, Palestinian and Saudi nationals and residents. At present, a maximum of 100 people may cross at Al-Mudawara and Sheikh Hussein Bridge per day, while 150 travelers may cross at King Hussein Bridge. All travelers must register via this online platform prior to attempting to cross, download the “Aman” contact tracing app here, submit payment of 40 Jordanian dinar (56 U.S. dollars) for on-arrival COVID-19 testing, and may be required to upload proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within five days prior to arrival as well as proof of valid travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage. Private vehicles will be sterilized on entry, and all travelers eligible to enter must undergo a seven-day self-isolation in their place of residence. Additional information is available here.
Democratic Republic Of The Congo / Mozambique (Security threat levels – 4 / 3): On 31 October 2020, authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo amended their entry requirements for foreign nationals. From that date, all travelers must complete a travel registration form via online portal and show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within seven days prior to arrival. Travelers will be subject to additional health screenings including an additional PCR test administered by the Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) at travelers’ expense, followed by a seven-day self-quarantine until the test results are known. Departing travelers are required to show proof of a negative PCR test administered by the INRB within 72 hours prior to their travel date.
In Mozambique, on 30 October authorities revised the entry requirements for arriving foreign travelers. All travelers to Mozambique must obtain a valid tourist or residency visa from the nearest diplomatic facility in their home country prior to travel, as visa on arrival services remain suspended. Arriving passengers who present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to their departure date are exempt from quarantine requirements; those arriving without this documentation must self-isolate for 14 days. Travelers may be subject to COVID-19 testing at their own expense on arrival and are required to provide their address and contact information to health officials at the port of entry.
Mozambique remains under an indefinite nationwide State of Public Calamity (SOPC), which replaced the previous State of Emergency (SOE) on 7 September. However, many restrictions and other health measures under the SOE remain in place during the SOPC period, including face mask and social distancing requirements, the closure of bars and similar venues, and restrictions on occupancy aboard public transportation.
Ireland (Security threat level – 2): On 2 November 2020, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for Ireland, which reads in part as follows: “All arrivals from overseas locations, except those coming from a country or region categorised as ‘green’ under the EU traffic light scheme, are asked to restrict their movements for 14 days on arrival into Ireland. At present this continues to include arrivals to Ireland from Great Britain. Restricting movements on arrival means staying at home and avoiding contact with other people and social situations as much as possible. There is more information on restricting movement on the Irish Government’s website.”
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