International Travel Alert for Monday November 22nd, 2021

AMERICAS

United States (Security threat level - 2): At approximately 1330 local time (1830 UTC) on 20 November 2021, a passenger inadvertently discharged a firearm at the main security checkpoint of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (KATL/ATL) in the U.S. state of Georgia, causing a panic at the facility. The director of the Transportation Security Administration for Georgia stated that the incident occurred when the individual grabbed the gun inside his bag during a secondary search. Following the gunfire, travelers at the facility fled to the vehicle parking area and onto the airport tarmac. At least three people suffered minor injuries while fleeing the scene. The passenger who discharged the firearm also fled the airport with his gun; authorities are pursuing the fugitive, who was later identified as a convicted felon. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a temporary ground stop for flights at the airport. Normal flight operations resumed within less than two hours after the incident.

United States (Security threat level - 2): At approximately 1640 local time (2240 UTC) on 21 November 2021, a motorist drove through a crowd during a Christmas parade along Main Street in downtown Waukesha, Wisconsin, a city located approximately 20 mi (30 km) west of Milwaukee. At least five people were killed and 40 more were injured in the event. Shortly afterward, authorities arrested one suspect and stated that the initial investigation did not indicate that it was an act of terrorism. Police officials are currently investigating to determine if the motorist was attempting to flee the scene of another crime.

AUSTRALASIA

Australia (Security threat level - 2): On 22 November 2021, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that foreign visa holders who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 -- including refugees and individuals traveling for reasons related to school or business -- will be permitted to enter the country as of 1 December without being required to apply for foreign travel exemptions. Additionally, vaccinated travelers from Japan and South Korea will be permitted to enter for tourist travel at the same time. Officials are anticipating approximately 200,000 travelers once the new regulations take effect.

New Zealand (Security threat level - 1): On 22 November 2021, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that a new coronavirus-related traffic-light system will replace the current COVID-19 Alert Level system as of 2 December. Under the traffic light system, coronavirus-related restrictions in different areas will be based on COVID-19 case transmission rates. Additional details regarding the new measures are available here.

EUROPE

Austria (Security threat level - 2): On 20 November 2021, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered at Heldenplatz square and elsewhere in central Vienna to protest a nationwide coronavirus-related lockdown that is set to begin on 22 November and a government mandate for COVID-19 vaccinations that begins on 1 February 2022. An estimated 35,000 demonstrators gathered in several areas of Vienna where they obstructed traffic, with small groups engaging in clashes with security personnel. Approximately 1,300 police officers responded to the demonstrations and arrested approximately 10 protesters for violating coronavirus-related restrictions and the ban on symbols associated with the Nazi party. There were no reports of injuries.

Belgium (Security threat level - 3): On 21 November 2021, police officers deployed tear gas and fired water cannons in an attempt to disperse protesters in central Brussels. An estimated crowd of about 35,000 people marched down the Rue d’Arlon and nearby streets to oppose announced coronavirus-related restrictions. Several protesters threw smoke bombs, fireworks and debris at security personnel, vandalized nearby buildings and private property and damaged at least six police vehicles. Several protesters suffered minor injuries due to smoke inhalation. Three police officers were also injured. Security personnel arrested 44 people.

France (Security threat level - 3) : At approximately 1530 local time (1430 UTC) on 20 November 2021, police officers deployed tear gas to disperse protesters along Boulevard Vincent Auriol in central Paris. Hundreds of people had gathered to mark the three-year anniversary of the beginning of yellow vest protests when several demonstrators began throwing debris, bottles and other projectiles at security forces. Several protesters were injured in the clashes, and at least four people were arrested. Many protesters later marched toward the Place d’Italie subway station at the intersection of Boulevard Vincent Auriol and Boulevard Auguste Blanqui flanked by a large contingent of anti-riot police officers.

Netherlands (Security threat level - 2): On 21 November 2021, unrest broke out in multiple Dutch cities for a third consecutive night amid demonstrations against restrictions reinstated to curb the spread of COVID-19. Protesters clashed with police officers in the eastern town of Enschede, where officers used batons to disperse the crowd. Meanwhile, demonstrators set off fireworks and threw rocks and other projectiles at police vehicles in the northern town of Leeuwarden. Unrest was also reported in other cities, including in Groningen and Tilburg. On the previous day, protesters in The Hague threw fireworks, damaged traffic lights and set fires in the city center area. Five police officers were injured in the violence. Authorities arrested at least seven people in the city.

The unrest initially began on 19 November in the port city of Rotterdam, where intense violence in the Coolsingel area prompted officials to declare a state of emergency and shut down the city’s main train station. Police officers deployed a water cannon and opened fire on protesters, who threw rocks and fireworks at the officers. Multiple stores in the shopping district were vandalized. At least three people suffered gunshot wounds and several others, including at least two police officers, were injured in the clashes. Police officers arrested 51 people in Rotterdam; approximately half of those arrested were minors.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Sudan (Security threat level - 5): On 21 November 2021, the military reinstated former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok after he and other civilian leaders of the country’s transitional government were ousted by the military on 25 October. The announcement follows an agreement made between the military and political parties. General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan stepped down as the temporary head of government following the power-sharing agreement. The military is also expected to release all political detainees arrested during the military takeover.

Despite the deal, protests continued as demonstrators demanded that the military relinquish all power to a civilian-led government. In the capital Khartoum, police officers fired tear gas as thousands of anti-government protesters marched toward the presidential palace. In central Omdurman, located adjacent to Khartoum, security personnel fired live ammunition at protesters, killing at least one person and injuring several others. Telecommunications remain restricted throughout much of the country.

GOVERNMENT TRAVEL WARNINGS

Belarus (Security threat level - 3): On 19 November 2021, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for Belarus, which reads in part as follows: “Due to the recently increased migratory pressure, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas close to the Polish border, specifically around the Bruzgi-Kuznia crossing. The crossing is now closed to vehicles and more border checkpoints may close or implement restrictions at short notice. There are increased restrictions on movement and activities in the border areas. If you are near the border you should remain cautious and avoid large crowds or gatherings.”?

Belgium (Security threat level - 3): On 22 November 2021, the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued updated travel advice for Belgium, which reads in part as follows: "From 26 November travellers who can present a negative PCR test results that is less than 72 hours old or a negative RAT test taken on the day before arrival or on day of arrival will no longer be required to be tested on day 1 or day 2. A day 7 test will also no longer be required."

"Further details are listed on the Belgian government’s website. "

Honduras (Security threat level - 4): On 19 November 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa issued an alert regarding upcoming national elections, which reads in part as follows: “The Honduran national elections will be held Sunday, November 28, 2021. During elections, rallies and protests are commonplace. These gatherings are mostly peaceful but, in some instances, can turn violent.”

Israel (Security threat level - 4): On 21 November 2021, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows: “As security incidents often take place without warning, U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. Due to recent security incidents in and around the Old City of Jerusalem, U.S. government employees and their family members have been advised to avoid the Old City until further notice.”

Information provided by United Healthcare Global on November 22nd, 2021