Ecuador (Security threat level – 3): On 4 November 2020, authorities imposed new restrictions until further notice in the city of Guayaquil in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Under the orders, restaurants and shopping centers are limited to 50% capacity; theaters are limited to 30% capacity; and hotels and lounges are required to close by 2200 local time (0300 UTC) daily. Additionally, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on holidays and from Thursday-Sunday.
Honduras / Belize / Nicaragua (Security threat levels – 4 / 3 / 4): As of 0300 local time (0900 UTC) on 5 November 2020, Tropical Storm Eta has weakened into a tropical depression as it continued to move over Honduras and was located approximately 50 km (30 mi) north-northeast of Tegucigalpa, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. At that time, the storm was moving west-northwest at 13 kph (8 mph) and was generating maximum sustained winds of 45 kph (30 mph) with gusts of up to 65 kph. Eta is expected to continue moving northwest on 5 November before shifting north-northeast and entering the Caribbean Sea north of San Pedro Sula overnight from 5-6 November.
Eta is forecast to produce the following rainfall accumulations through the morning on 10 November: 255-380 mm (10-15 in) with isolated maximums of up to 1,015 mm for portions of Honduras and northern Nicaragua; 125-155 mm with maximums of up to 510 mm for Belize and southeastern Mexico; 255-510 mm with maximums of up to 760 mm for the Cayman Islands and portions of Cuba; and 75-125 mm with maximums of up to 380 mm for portions of Jamaica. Heavy rainfall is expected to cause severe flash flooding and landslides across areas of Central America, including Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Additional flash flooding is possible in the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Jamaica and southeastern Mexico. Swells created by Eta are forecast to begin affecting coastal areas of Belize, Central America and Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula during the next 48 hours.
During the afternoon on 4 November, authorities in Honduras temporarily suspended operations at Golosón International Airport (MHLC/LCE) in La Ceiba and Toncontín International Airport (MHTG/TGU) in the capital Tegucigalpa due to Eta’s impact. Officials have not indicated when operations are expected to resume. Heavy rains and flooding have destroyed five bridges, isolating 41 communities in Honduras, while the country’s national power company has reported that approximately 100,000 people are without power.
United States (Security threat level – 2): During the evening of 4 November 2020, isolated clashes occurred between protesters and riot police during election-related demonstrations in a number of cities in the U.S. states of California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Oregon and Washington state.
In California, riot police advanced on protesters and made multiple arrests after declaring a demonstration at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles to be an unlawful assembly. Officers refrained from deploying crowd control munitions such as tear gas and no widespread clashes or injuries were reported.
In Colorado, riot police deployed tear gas and pepper balls to disperse demonstrators along East Colfax Avenue near the Colorado State Capitol Building in downtown Denver. Demonstrators smashed windows and vandalized storefronts along the thoroughfare and attempted to block traffic by moving dumpsters into the street, subsequently setting one on fire. There have been no reports of widespread clashes or injuries; however, at least eight protesters were arrested.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, dozens of protesters temporarily blocked traffic along a section of Interstate 94 near 25th Avenue and Riverside Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. Riot police deployed to the area and dispersed the crowd, making several arrests; however, no widespread clashes or injuries were reported. The activity temporarily disrupted eastbound traffic along the roadway.
In New York, hundreds of protesters gathered in Stuyvesant and Washington Square parks in the Greenwich Village area of Manhattan in New York City. While the rallies transpired peacefully during the day, isolated violence was reported as the evening progressed. Protesters lit fires and threw eggs, garbage and other objects during isolated clashes with riot police along 7th Avenue South near Leroy and Morton streets, while sporadic altercations were reported along 14th Street as authorities dispersed a sit-in demonstration in Stuyvesant Square Park. At least 50 people were arrested; however, there were no reports of widespread clashes or injuries.
In Oregon, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Department announced that Governor Kate Brown activated the Oregon National Guard to assist law enforcement in responding to reports of violence amid demonstrations in Portland. Authorities earlier declared a protest taking place in downtown Portland to be a riot following reports of protesters damaging buildings and storefronts in the area, primarily along Southwest 10th Avenue and Harvey Milk Street and near the Multnomah County Justice Center. Protesters had gathered at Revolution Hall in the city’s southeast area earlier in the day for a “Defend Democracy” rally before marching across Morrison Bridge toward Waterfront Park near Naito Parkway. The protesters were joined by a separate group of demonstrators who had gathered at North Park Blocks before marching toward the waterfront. At least nine protesters were arrested during the unrest. In addition to activating the National Guard, Gov. Brown extended an executive order tasking several law enforcement agencies with ensuring public order during election-related protests; the order was set to expire on 4 November before being extended to 6 November.
In Washington, separate protest marches occurred in downtown Seattle, starting from Occidental Square in the Pioneer Square area and Cal Anderson Park in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. While the first march took place without reports of clashes or damage to property, authorities issued a dispersal order for the march through Capitol Hill, as demonstrators reportedly blocked traffic and damaged several buildings as well as multiple police vehicles. At least five people were arrested, and one person was injured.
Taiwan / China (Security threat levels – 1 / 3): As of 0900 UTC on 5 November 2020, Tropical Storm Atsani was located approximately 740 km (460 mi) south-southwest of Kadena, Japan, and was moving west at 17 kph (10 mph), according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At that time, Atsani was generating maximum sustained winds of 102 kph, with gusts of up to 130 kph. On its current path, the storm is forecast to strengthen as it continues northwest through 7 November before shifting southwest and beginning to weaken. Atsani is currently not predicted to make landfall, but it is still expected to produce heavy rainfall and strong winds in southern Taiwan and coastal areas of southeast China; in Taiwan, authorities predict rainfall amounts of 75-150 mm (3-6 in) in affected areas.
Greece / Cyprus / Spain (Security threat levels – 3 / 2 / 3): On 5 November 2020, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that a three-week nationwide lockdown will go into effect at 0600 local time (0400 UTC) on 7 November in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Under the order, interregional travel will be banned, non-essential businesses must close, and residents must send an SMS message to a government number in order to receive authorization to leave their homes for essential purposes. Additionally, secondary schools will close and transition to distance learning while primary schools will remain open.
In Cyprus, on 5 November a series of new restrictions went into effect and will remain in place until at least 30 November amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The measures include a nationwide nightly curfew from 2300-0500 local time (2100-0300 UTC) and restrictions on public gatherings and certain businesses, including entertainment venues. Violators of the health mandates are subject to a fine of 300 euros (approximately 350 U.S. dollars).
On 3 November the regional government of Castilla y León, located in northwestern Spain, approved the closure of the region’s hospitality sector and shopping malls as of 6 November and until further notice. Under the new measures, restaurants will be allowed to provide delivery and takeout services only and bars are required to close. Additionally, indoor sporting activities will be banned, with an exception for professional athletes and official games. The region will maintain its 2200-0600 local time (2100-0500 UTC) curfew and a six-person limit on social gatherings.
Elsewhere in Spain, authorities in the Canary Islands announced plans to implement additional entry restrictions for travelers eligible to enter the territory beginning on 14 November and continuing until further notice. From that date, travelers arriving to the Canary Islands — including from mainland Spain — and staying in tourist accommodations must complete a traveler health form via online portal or through the SpTH mobile app within 48 hours prior to traveling and show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before their travel date. In addition, all visitors are required to download and use the Radar COVID contact tracing app during the duration of their stay and for 15 days following their departure. Further information is available here . At present, entry to the Canary Islands remains restricted to citizens and residents of the EU, passport-free Schengen Area, Australia, Canada, China, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, the U.K. and Uruguay.
Lesotho (Security threat level – 3): As of 3 November 2020, authorities have amended several COVID-19 restrictions currently in place across the country. Hotels and other tourist facilities are permitted to reopen subject to compliance with health mandates and specialized guidelines, while cafes and restaurants may open for sit-in services from 0800-2100 local time (0600-1900 UTC). Nightclubs and similar entertainment venues may reopen with prior approval from the Ministry of Tourism; however, nationwide restrictions on the purchase of alcohol remain in place. Individuals are required to wear a face mask at all times when outside the home or place of accommodation.
Furthermore, land borders at the following crossing points remain open to certain classes of traveler: Butha Buthe (Caldonspoort), Mafeteng (Vanrooyens Gate), Maputsoe Bridge, Maseru Bridge and Qacha’s Nek Bridge. Entry and exit are permitted for individuals traveling for the purposes of business, education, or emergency medical situations, for residents with residency or work permits in South Africa, and for travelers in special use cases. Cross-border travel for essential services and commercial trade continues to be permitted without restriction.
Bolivia (Security threat level – 3): On 4 November 2020, the U.S. Embassy in La Paz issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:
“Location: Nationwide
“Event: Possible civil unrest and demonstrations associated with the Bolivian presidential inauguration that will take place on November 8, 2020.”
Guyana (Security threat level – 3): On 4 November 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown issued a Weather Alert, which reads in part as follows:
“Event: The National Weather Watch Centre in Guyana is reporting that frequent to continuous rain, showers and thundershowers will be experienced across all regions of Guyana today, with the Northern parts of the country experiencing more severe weather. This may cause landslides and severe flooding.
“U.S. Embassy personnel were advised that the combination of normal high tides and high waves may increase the chance of “overtopping” of the river and sea defense. A flood and high tide advisory remains in effect until November 08, 2020.”
Slovenia (Security threat level – 2): On 4 October 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:
“Location: Ljubljana – Republic square (downtown)
“Event: On 5 November, around 1630, there is a planned demonstration against the Slovenian government. While most demonstrations in Slovenia are peaceful, there will be increased police presence in this area.”
United Arab Emirates (Security threat level – 2): On 4 November 2020,the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued an update to its travel advice for the United Arab Emirates, which reads in part as follows: “Individuals travelling from the UK to Dubai now have the option to undertake a PCR test on arrival at Dubai airport. If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival in Dubai, depending on your symptoms and your accommodation plans, you may be required to self-isolate in a government led facility, a hospital, your hotel or privately arranged accommodation.”
“For the rest of the the UAE, authorities have stated that, citizens, returning residents and tourists have to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test in the country they are currently in, and have proof of a negative result, before travelling to the UAE. If you are transiting through the UAE to a country that requires a PCR test on arrival, then you must obtain a negative PCR test before travelling. In all circumstances, the test must be a PCR swab test. Other test results including antibody tests are not accepted. The test must have been carried out within 96 hours of departure.”
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