Vietnam (Security threat level – 3): As of 1600 local time (0900 UTC) on 14 October 2020, Tropical Storm Nangka was located approximately 110 km (70 mi) southeast of Hanoi, Vietnam, and was moving west-northwest at 20 kph (12 mph), according to the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At that time, Nangka was generating maximum sustained winds of 65 kph, with gusts of up to 83 kph. On its current path, the storm is expected to continue moving west over northern Vietnam and northern Laos through 16 October before dissipating. During the early afternoon of 14 October, Nangka made landfall near the city of Quat Lam — located approximately 40 km southeast of Nam Dinh in the province of the same name. The storm brought high winds and between 55 and 100 mm (2-4 in) of rainfall across portions of central Vietnam as it moved inland, and additional heavy rainfall is forecast through 16 October.
Czech Republic / Netherlands / Spain (Security threat levels – 2 / 2 / 3): On 14 October 2020, authorities in the Czech Republic implemented additional coronavirus-related restrictions on businesses and gatherings. Bars, cafes, restaurants and similar establishments are required to cease in-person services but are permitted to operate takeout and delivery services until 2000 local time (0600 UTC). Alcohol consumption in public is banned, and public gatherings are restricted to a maximum of six people; previously, groups of up to 10 people were permitted. The restrictions follow the closure of cinemas, cultural venues, recreational facilities and similar establishments on 12 October and a state of emergency declared on 5 October.
In the Netherlands, beginning at 2200 local time (2000 UTC) on 14 October, all bars and cafes nationwide are required to close for dine-in services for at least four weeks. During that period, sales of alcohol and cannabis will be suspended daily from 2000 to 0700 local time, and face masks will also be mandatory in all indoor public spaces for anyone age 13 or older. Authorities ordered the restrictions in response to a spike in confirmed COVID-19 case numbers, which include 43,903 new cases over the preceding week.
In Spain, authorities in the northeastern region of Catalonia announced on 14 October that new restrictions are set to go into effect on 16 October, lasting the rest of the month in an effort to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19. The new restrictions will allow restaurants and bars to operate takeout services only, as well as require the closure of entertainment venues, including amusement parks, casinos and bingo halls. Cinemas and theaters will be required to reduce capacity to 50%, and parks will be required to close nightly at 2000 local time (1800 UTC). Some business owners have signaled their opposition to the restrictions and are likely to appeal to the high court of Catalonia. During the last 14 days, the COVID-19 infection rate in Catalonia reached 268 cases for every 100,000 inhabitants, exceeding the average across the country.
Guinea (Security threat level – 4): On 14 October 2020, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice regarding planned demonstrations, which reads in part as follows:
"The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC) has announced anniversary demonstrations in Guinea on Friday 16 October. Previous FNDC demonstrations have turned violent leading to some deaths. Public gatherings and demonstrations can be called with little or no notice and can quickly turn violent. You should avoid the demonstrations and crowds, remain aware of your surroundings, moving quickly to a safe place if you see signs of disturbances or unrest, and monitor the local media for any changes.
"This same advice should also be followed for the Presidential Elections which are scheduled to take place on Sunday 18 October. On election day roads will be closed to non-emergency traffic. You should monitor local media and be ready to adjust your plans as necessary."
Malaysia (Security threat level – 3): On 13 October 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur issued a Health Alert regarding updated movement controls, which reads in part as follows:
“While general restrictions have been relaxed during the RMCO, specific “red zones” with higher numbers of COVID-19 cases may be placed under a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). On October 12, the Government of Malaysia announced a new CMCO in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. This CMCO will be in effect on October 14 at 12:01 a.m. until October 27. The government has yet to publish the full SOPs for the CMCO, but early announcements indicate the following restrictions will be enforced:
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