AMERICAS

Argentina / Cuba (Security threat levels – 3 / 2): On 30 August 2020, Argentine authorities extended the nationwide lockdown until at least 2359 local time on 20 September (0259 UTC on 21 September), with varying levels of restrictions in place in each province or municipality. The lockdown was set to expire on 31 August before being extended. The Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area and portions of the provinces of Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, Jujuy, La Rioja, Río Negro, Salta, San Juan, Santa Cruz, Santiago del Estero and Tierra del Fuego will remain under comprehensive quarantine restrictions, which prohibit residents from leaving their homes except to obtain food and medicine or to seek medical care. Mandatory social distancing requirements and restrictions on travel, public and private gatherings and outdoor activities are in place throughout most of the country, and face masks are mandatory at all times when traveling outside the home or place of residence.

As of 1 September, a nightly curfew from 1900-0500 local time (2300-0900 UTC) is in effect in the Cuban capital Havana until further notice. Furthermore, interprovincial public and private transportation is banned, but cargo transportation is exempt. According to local officials, the decision was prompted by a spike in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in several eastern and central provinces during the past week.

Chile (Security threat level – 2): On 1 September 2020, truck drivers entered day six of an indefinite nationwide strike to protest the increasing frequency of acts of violence affecting the restive province of Araucania after talks with government officials broke down the previous day. Leaders of the Confederation of Chilean Cargo Transport (CNTC) — with support from agricultural and logging unions — are demanding a "whole-of-government" approach to dealing with insecurity in central Chile. A demonstrator supporting the strike was fatally hit by a truck near the city of Curicó, located in the region of Maule in central Chile, on the morning of 1 September. If the strike continues, authorities have threatened to invoke a state security law to penalize drivers blocking major routes and damaging supply chains. On 31 August, the minister of agriculture stated that two of the country’s 16 regions were experiencing supply chain problems, while access had slowed to the Port of San Antonio, a major export point for fruit, salmon and copper.

ASIA

Japan / South Korea (Security threat levels – 1 / 2): As of 0900 UTC on 1 September 2020, Typhoon Maysak was located approximately 240 km (150 mi) northwest of Kadena, Japan, and was moving north at 9 kph (6 mph), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. At that time, Maysak was generating maximum sustained winds of 232 kph, with gusts of up to 278 kph. On its current path, the storm is forecast to pass between South Korea’s Jeju Island and Japan’s far western Kyushu Island before making landfall in South Korea along the border of Gyeongnam and Jeonnam provinces by the morning of 2 September.

Typhoon Maysak transited between Miyako Islands and the island of Okinawa in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture on 31 August before entering the East China Sea and shifting north by early 1 September. The storm brought up to 205 mm (8 in) of rain across portions of the prefecture over a 24-hour period, and up to 180 mm of additional rain is forecast through the morning of 2 September. In addition, wind speeds of up to 195 kph were reported on Kume island and elsewhere in the prefecture. Several structures were damaged and at least four people suffered non-life-threatening injuries. At least 33,500 homes lost power due to the storm.

Philippines / New Zealand / Malaysia (Security threat levels – 4 / 1 / 3) : On 31 August 2020, officials in the Philippines extended the general community quarantine (GCQ) currently in effect for Metro Manila, the cities of Bacolod and Tacloban as well as the provinces of Batangas and Bulacan until at least 30 September. The nightly curfew from 2200-0500 local time (1400-2100 UTC) remains in effect. However, most businesses that have remained closed — including gaming establishments, fitness centers and personal grooming services — may reopen at a reduced capacity and must adhere to social distancing orders. Face masks are mandatory in most public spaces, while a face mask and a face shield must be worn aboard public transportation. Furthermore, Iligan City is under a more restrictive modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), whereas the remainder of the country will remain under the least restrictive modified GCQ — except for General Santos City, which is under a 24-hour lockdown until at least 13 September. All travel into and out of the city is banned, and flight operations at General Santos International Airport (RPMB/GES) are suspended.

In New Zealand, on 31 August authorities imposed a modified Level 2 alert for Auckland, down from a Level 3, while the rest of the country remains at the normal Level 2. In Auckland, public gatherings are limited to 10 people, whereas up to 100 attendees are allowed at gatherings elsewhere. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated that authorities will review the alert levels by 6 September. For a full list of restrictions in Auckland and nationwide, please click here .

In Malaysia, as of 7 September permanent residents, individuals with Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) passes, spousal visa holders and students from India, Indonesia and the Philippines will banned from entering the country.

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Algeria / Iraq / Turkey (Security threat levels – 4 / 5 / 4): On 31 August 2020, Algerian authorities lifted a nightly curfew in 11 wilayat (provinces), including El Oued, Constantine and Bechar among others. Meanwhile, in 18 other wilayat — including the capital Algiers, Oran and Tizi Ouzou — a nightly curfew is in effect from 2300 local time until 0600 local time (2200-0500 UTC) until at least 30 September. The government initially instituted curfew orders in 29 wilayat in July.

In Turkey, on 31 August civil aviation authorities extended the country’s ban on flights to and from Iraq until at least 1 October, citing the continued spread of COVID-19 within the country.