LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 02 MAY 2019 MAY 02, 2019

AMERICAS

Mexico

On Sunday, May 5, travelers in urban centers should avoid protests called by the Chalecos Mexico civil society group due to the potential for local disturbances. Gatherings are due to be held at 11:00 AM local time in public squares, including Angel de la Independencia in Mexico City. Demonstrations have been confirmed in the following locations: Hermosillo, Monterrey, Irapuato, Tijuana, and Queretaro. The protests are being held to denounce the policies of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Peru

On Sunday, May 5, travelers in Lima avoid a planned demonstration in support of the decriminalization of marijuana. The event will begin at 12:00 PM local time at Plaza Francia. A related rally in May 2017 descended into unrest when police used tear gas and pellets to disperse demonstrators. Similar disturbances, as well as local travel disruption, may occur during the upcoming event.

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

Algeria

Tomorrow, travelers in Algiers and other urban centers should continue to avoid anti-government protests due to associated disruption and the potential for unrest. Further demonstrations are expected, though details are not available. Previous gatherings have significantly affected traffic in Algiers and have been held amid tight security. Demonstrators are calling for an overhaul of the entire political system after the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on April 2. A number of Bouteflika allies have since resigned under public pressure while others are facing corruption probes.

Today, travelers in Bejaia should plan routes bypassing a march at 1:00 PM local time from the Cevital factory to the Court of Bejaia. Supporters of the National Coordination of Cevital Workers’ Committee will participate in the event to demand the release of Algerian businessman, Issad Rebrab, who was recently arrested over misappropriation of public funds. Previous associated gatherings have occurred in several cities across the country and were well attended.

Burkina Faso

Today, travelers in Ouagadougou should expect heightened security and associated disruption due to an ongoing official visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She will deliver a speech to students at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University. Disruption around Ouagadougou International Airport (OUA) is likely as Merkel departs for Niger.

Cameroon

Today through Friday, May 10, passengers of Cameroon Airlines Corporation (CAMAIRCO) should anticipate disruption and reconfirm flights due to a planned strike by airline staff. The strike has been called to demand immediate payment of salary arrears and improved working conditions. Travelers should monitor the situation as negotiations between unions and the company continue and the strike may still be called off.

Iran

Today, travelers in Tehran should avoid a protest related to Labor Day as a precaution. Participants will gather at 10:00 AM local time along Taleqani Street.

Iraq

Travelers in Baghdad and southern governorates should anticipate further protests related to diplomatic issues. Supporters of prominent Shia Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr gathered in Baghdad, Najaf, and Basra on April 28 in protest of remarks made by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister about Sadr. Separately, a social media post by the US Embassy in Baghdad on April 25 sparked public anger, while dozens of people demonstrated yesterday outside the Kuwaiti Consulate in Basra against comments made by a Kuwaiti tribal figure about Basrawi women.

Lebanon

Tomorrow through Saturday, May 4, travelers in Beirut should anticipate disruption from a strike called by the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers and avoid all related gatherings. The group is protesting austerity measures currently under Parliamentary discussion as the 2019 state budget draft is finalized. Workers fears these cuts could hit wages, pensions, and other benefits. During the strike, the activity of government offices may be affected, while demonstrations are expected to take place around ministries. Current and retired public sector employees, including military veterans, have held several protests in recent weeks over possible cuts to benefits and wages.

Libya

All travel to Libya should be deferred due to ongoing fighting between forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the rival Libyan National Army (LNA). Those in Libya, particularly Tripoli and other northwestern areas, should leave the country. Most fighting in Tripoli has focused on the city’s southern outskirts, namely Qasr bin Ghashir, Khallet al-Furjan, Wadi Alrabie, Ain Zara, and Souq al-Ahad. Shelling has also affected more central residential areas, including Abu Salim. Mitiga International Airport (MJI), which serves Tripoli, has been fully operational since April 22.

Senegal

Today, travelers in Dakar should avoid the vicinity of Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) due to an ongoing student protest. Police have reportedly used tear gas in an attempt to disperse the demonstration, which was called over the reduction of scholarships.

Sudan

Today, travelers in Khartoum should continue to minimize non-essential movement and avoid the vicinity of planned demonstrations. The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) has called for a “Millions for Freedom and Change” march. Participants will gather at multiple locations at 1:00 PM local time before proceeding to the Military Headquarters, where an ongoing sit-in is taking place. Tensions increased on April 30, when protesters refused to remove barricades around the sit-in area despite a request from the Transitional Military Council (TMC). While authorities have vowed not to use violence against protesters, all such gatherings should be avoided.

Tunisia

Today through Saturday, May 4, travelers in urban centers should expect possible fuel shortages and avoid all gatherings associated with a nationwide strike called by the General Transport Federation. The group is denouncing the alleged lack of wage increases, among other issues. Disruption should be expected at fuel stations for the duration of the strike. Any fuel shortages may impact the availability of taxis.

Uganda

Travelers in Uganda should plan journeys avoiding Kiboga due to ongoing unrest. Protests broke out after police intervened in a meeting being held by the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Demonstrators have blocked a section of the Kampala-Hoima Highway, while police are using tear gas and live ammunition to try to disperse crowds.

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

Fiji

Tomorrow, travelers in Fiji, particularly in Suva, should avoid planned nationwide protests by the Fiji Trades Union Congress (FTUC). A march will also be held in Nadi on Saturday, May 4 at 10:30 AM local time; details of the location remain unclear. The protests are being held over various labor-related issues such as the national minimum wage and labor law reforms. Several trade unionists, including a leader of FTUC, were arrested by authorities yesterday. This is likely to lead to heightened tensions during the planned protests. Associated demonstrations are likely to be well attended and may cause local travel disruption.

India

On Wednesday, May 8, travelers in New Delhi should plan journeys bypassing Ramlila Maidan, where a rally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be held. The event will begin at 5:00 PM local time and is likely to be well attended. Heightened security measures and associated disruption can be expected around the event venue. Today, authorities lifted civilian traffic restrictions on the Srinagar-Baramulla section of National Highway 44 following the completion of General Elections in both cities. Restrictions on the Srinagar-Udhampur stretch of National Highway 44 remain in place from 4:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time every Wednesday and Sunday through May 31. Travelers using the highway should continue to abide by all official directives.

Indonesia

Travelers in Jakarta, as well as Bengkulu and East Java provinces, should plan journeys accounting for disruption caused by heavy rain and associated flash flooding. Authorities have forecast further rain through Monday, May 6. While flooding has subsided, disruption persists, especially in Bengkulu, where at least 30 people have been killed, and tens of thousands evacuated. Travelers should reconfirm the status of routes before setting out.

Philippines

Passengers of Cebu Pacific should reconfirm their flights due to ongoing cancellations. The airline has canceled 58 roundtrip domestic flights through May 10. It has also said that around ten flights daily will be canceled for the rest of the month over operational reasons. Affected services include those to and from Manila.

Thailand

Today through Monday, May 6, travelers in Bangkok should anticipate significant disruption around the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Official events are scheduled for Saturday, May 4 through Monday, May 6, and more than 400,000 people are expected to attend. Heightened security, traffic disruption, and increased congestion can be expected beginning today.

EUROPE

Regional

Passengers of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) should continue to reconfirm flight schedules due to an ongoing indefinite strike by pilots in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. More than 3,000 flights have been canceled since the walkout began on April 26, affecting more than 320,000 passengers. The work stoppage is related to a dispute over a collective bargaining agreement, wages, and working hours. Further disruption is likely as negotiations between the union and the airline have stalled.

Travelers on the Crimean Peninsula should anticipate heightened security and associated disruption ahead of and during Victory Day events on Thursday, May 9. Parade rehearsals by the Russian Armed Forces will take place in the cities of Kerch, Sevastopol, and Simferopol beginning today. Intermittent traffic restrictions and road closures can be expected around related events.

Travelers in Muslim-majority countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) should anticipate disruption and respect local cultural sensibilities during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It will be observed in the region from Monday, May 6 through June 4, with the Eid al-Fitr festival to be celebrated between June 4 and 6. Travelers in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as well as parts of Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, should exercise caution near religious sites and other celebration venues.

Russia

Today, travelers in Moscow and St Petersburg should plan routes bypassing planned commemorative events as a precaution and to minimize inconvenience. The events will remember the 42 people killed in a May 2014 fire at the Trade Union House in Odessa. In Moscow, flowers will be laid at Aleksandrovskiy Sad, and a related rally will take place at Suvorov Square from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM local time. In St. Petersburg, participants will gather outside the Ukrainian Consulate at 2:00 PM local time.

Ukraine

Today, travelers in Odessa should avoid commemorative events marking the fifth anniversary of fatal clashes between proUkraine and pro-Russia activists as a precaution. A memorial rally will start at 4:00 PM local time at Kulykove Pole, which will be cordoned off throughout the day. Participants of the far-right March of Ukrainian Order group will gather at 6:00 PM local time near the Taras Shevchenko Monument and march towards Soborna Square via the city center. Vehicular movement restrictions will be in place on multiple streets surrounding commemorative events from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM local time.

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

May 2
Australia, Canada, Israel, United
Kingdom: Yom HaShoah
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Labor Day
(Day 2)
Bhutan: Birth Anniversary of Third
Druk Gyalpo
China: Labor Day Holiday
Spain: Day of Madrid
Japan: Coronation Day Holiday
Montenegro: Labour Day/May
Day Holiday
Poland: Day of the Flag
Serbia: Labor Holiday (Second
Day)
Russia: Spring and Labor Day
Holiday
Slovenia: Labor Day Holiday

May 3
China: Labor Day Holiday
Japan: Constitution Memorial Day
Poland: Constitution Day
Russia: Spring and Labor Day
Holiday
El Salvador: Cross Day

May 4
Austria: Saint Florian’s Day
China: Youth Day
Japan: Greenery Day
Kazakhstan: Special Working Day
Latvia: Independence Restoration
Day
Namibia: Cassinga Day
Vietnam: Working
Day for Liberation Day Holiday

May 5
Denmark: Liberation Day
Spain, Lithuania, Romania:
Mothers’ Day
Ethiopia: Freedom Day
Guyana: Arrival Day
Japan: Children’s Day
Kyrgyzstan: Constitution Day of
the Kyrgyz Republic
South Korea: Children’s Day
Mexico: Battle of Puebla
Netherlands: Liberation Day
Palau: Senior Citizens Day
United States: Cinco de Mayo
May 6
UAE, Afghanistan, Australia,
Brunei, Canada, Jordan, Maldives,
Malaysia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UK,
US: Start of Ramadan
Antigua & Barbuda, Montserrat:
Labor Day
Australia, Australia, Dominica,
Guernsey, Ireland, Jersey, Saint
Kitts and Nevis: May Day
Bulgaria: St. George’s Day
Guyana: Day Off for Arrival Day
Isle of Man: Early May Bank
Holiday
Japan, South Korea: Children’s Day
Kyrgyzstan: Constitution Day of
the Kyrgyz Republic (Observed)
Lebanon, Syria: Martyr’s Day
Latvia: Independence Restoration
Day
Moldova: Memorial Day/Parents’
Day
Palau: Day off for Senior Citizens
Day
Thailand: Special Holiday
UK: Early May Bank Holiday

May 7
Belarus: Radonitsa
India: Birthday of Ravindranath
Kazakhstan: Defender of the
Fatherland Day
Malaysia: Pahang State Holiday
Pakistan: May 7 Bank Holiday
El Salvador: Soldiers’ Day

May 8
Armenia: Congress
St. Barts, French Guiana,
Martinique, New Caledonia,
French Polynesia, St Pierre &
Miquelon, Mayotte: Victory Day
Czech Republic: Victory in Europe
Day
France, Reunion: WWII Victory
Day
Israel: Yom HaZikaron (Memorial
Day)
South Korea: Parents’ Day
Norway: Day of Liberation
Slovakia: End of World War II
United States: Truman Day
South Africa: Election Day

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