LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 6 MAR 2019 MARCH 6, 2019

 

AMERICAS

United States

Travelers in southern California should plan journeys accounting for potential disruption due to stormy weather conditions in the coming days. Moderate-toheavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds, is forecast in southern California through Friday, March 8. A heavy bout of rain is expected this morning. Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties are particularly at risk of flash flooding and mudslides. A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for parts of Santa Barbara.

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

Algeria

Travelers in urban centers, including Algiers, should monitor developments due to persistent large-scale demonstrations against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s decision to run for a fifth term in the April 18 Presidential Election. Fresh protests are planned for Friday, March 8, with flashpoints being university campuses and central areas of cities such as main squares and streets. While unions have issued a call for general strike, a date has not been set. Travelers should avoid all gatherings. Travelers in Oran should anticipate heightened security around the Le Meridien Oran Hotel, which will host the North Africa Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (NAPEC) from March 10-13. Disruption is possible along nearby routes, including Rue Yagoubi Mohamed, during this period.

Congo (DRC)

Key response activities to the Ebola outbreak continue to be challenged but have progressively resumed despite ongoing security issues. Ebola is spread by contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of infected or dead people. Healthcare workers, household members, and people participating in traditional funeral practices are at high risk. Non-essential travel to affected areas should be deferred. Travelers should prevent infection by paying strict attention to hygiene and avoiding contact with blood and body fluids. Travelers should not participate in traditional funerals or go to health facilities where Ebola patients are being treated.

Egypt

Today and tomorrow, travelers in Cairo should expect heightened security and traffic disruption during a summit on Libyan affairs. The Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria will meet for the summit in Tahrir Palace in downtown Cairo. A visibly increased security force presence can be anticipated around the venue and at Cairo International Airport (CAI). Road checkpoints, closures, and diversions are also likely. Travelers should allow additional time for journeys in the vicinity.

Kenya

Today, passengers transiting Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi should reconfirm flights due to ongoing strike-related disruption. Kenyan Air Force personnel have been deployed to replace striking security screening staff. A number of international and domestic flights took off and landed at the airport today; however, disruption is expected to continue throughout the day, as the backlog of canceled or delayed flights is cleared.

Lebanon

Today, travelers in Beirut should avoid a sit-in at 11:00 AM local time at Riad elSolh Square to minimize inconvenience. The Association of Full-time Professors at Lebanese University has organized the event to demand a salary increase. Local disruption is expected in the vicinity of the sit-in. Today, travelers in Beirut should avoid a planned protest by the Lebanese Communist Party in solidarity with protesters in Sudan. Participants will gather at 6:00 PM local time outside the Arab League Headquarters near Beydoun Mosque. While the event is expected to pass off peacefully, travelers should anticipate local disruption in the vicinity.

Libya

Today and Friday, March 8, travelers in Tripoli and the adjacent town of Janzur should avoid protests calling for the expulsion of the United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL) from the country. Today, participants will gather in Janzur outside of the UNSMIL office at 12:00 PM local time, while protesters in Tripoli will assemble at Martyrs’ Square at around 5:30 PM local time on Friday, March 8. Travelers should reconfirm the feasibility of movement in the vicinity of gatherings and allow additional time for all journeys.

Malawi

Today, travelers in Lilongwe should avoid an ongoing protest near the Bingu International Conference Center. Participants are attempting to march to the State House in protest of violence targeting albino people, but have been stopped by a police blockade on the road.

Mozambique

Travelers in Cabo Delgado, Manica, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, and Zambezia provinces should anticipate disruption linked to a tropical depression. Heavy rainfall and strong winds are forecast in parts of these provinces. Local flash flooding is possible in Quelimane and Tete. In parts of Cabo Delgado, weather-related disrupted has caused electricity outages. Travelers should reconfirm the status of routes before setting out and plan journeys accounting for potential disruption.

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

Bangladesh

Today, travelers in Dhaka should avoid a planned opposition rally outside the National Press Club. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) plans to form a human chain from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM local time to call for the release of its leader, Khaleda Zia. The BNP chairperson is reportedly in poor health after being imprisoned on corruption charges in February 2018. While the event should be peaceful, it is liable to cause traffic disruption in its vicinity, and travelers should avoid the area as a precaution.

China

Today through March 15, travelers in Beijing should expect increased security and associated disruption due to ongoing ten-day government meetings. Sessions of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference began on March 3, while meetings of the National People’s Congress began yesterday. The Great Hall of the People, located at the western edge of Tiananmen Square, is the venue for the sessions. Security measures will include additional police patrols around the Great Hall of the People and in the central Zhongnanhai area, which houses the central government compound. Short-notice road closures are possible.

India

Passengers of Jet Airways should reconfirm flights in the near term after the airline grounded 23 aircraft in an attempt to avoid filing for bankruptcy.

Indonesia

The World Health Organization has declared Indonesia a polio re-infected or “outbreak” country after cases were detected in Papua province. Therefore, International Health Regulations’ (IHR) temporary recommendations for polio vaccination are applicable for all international travelers. Residents and long-term visitors who have been in the country for more than four weeks should ensure they are vaccinated for polio within 12 months of travel. They should carry a proof of vaccination preferably documented on the International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (ICVP); otherwise, there is a risk of being restricted or vaccinated at the point of exit. Polio is a contagious viral illness that can cause paralysis and death. It is spread through contaminated food or water, or directly from an infected person.

Pakistan

Tensions between India and Pakistan have eased since Pakistan’s return of a captured Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot on March 1; however, cross-border shelling and firing near the Line of Control (LoC) has continued in recent days, and bilateral tensions persist. Travelers should monitor developments closely and continue to defer all travel to the LoC and non-essential travel to border areas. Flight disruption should be anticipated due to airspace restrictions imposed on February 27. Yesterday, limited flight operations resumed at Multan International (MUX), Turbat International (TUK), Gwadar International (GWD), Chitral (CJL), and Panjgur (PJG) airports. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) said that only limited domestic operations would resume at the latter four airports. According to the PCAA, the country’s airspace will remain closed for all other operations through 1:00 PM local time tomorrow. Meanwhile, restricted operations continue at Pakistan’s Faisalabad (LYP), Islamabad (ISB), Karachi (KHI), Lahore (LHE), Peshawar (PEW), and Quetta (UET) international airports. According to the PCAA, the country’s airspace will remain closed for all other operations until 1:00 PM local time tomorrow. Travelers planning air travel to, from, and within the country should reconfirm flight schedules.

EUROPE

Ireland

A significant increase in mumps cases has been reported nationwide. Mumps is caused by a virus that spreads from person-to-person via infected droplets. It is highly contagious, and nearly all cases occur among unvaccinated people. Symptoms include fever, painful and swollen glands, pain when swallowing, and in men, inflammation of the testes. Serious complications can occur. All travelers should ensure they are fully vaccinated against mumps.

Netherlands

On March 10 and 14, travelers in Amsterdam should avoid planned climate marches. The first rally will take place at 1:00 PM local time on March 10 from Dam Square towards Museumplein. Participants will also gather at 1:00 PM local time on March 14 at Dam Square. Previous related demonstrations have been well attended. While the upcoming rallies are expected to pass off peacefully, local traffic disruption is possible.

Serbia

Travelers in urban centers should avoid further anti-government demonstrations, typically held on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:00 PM local time, as a precaution. Demonstrators in Belgrade usually march via central streets to the National Assembly, the Serbian Radio and Television (RTS) headquarters, and the Presidential and Serbian government buildings.

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

March 6
Australia, Bangladesh, St. Barts, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, French Guiana, Iceland, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Mexico, Panama, United Kingdom, United States: Ash Wednesday Ghana: Independence Day Kosovo: Day of Memorial and Respect for Veterans

March 7
Indonesia: Bali’s Day of Silence and Hindu New Year Nepal: Gyalpo Losar

March 8
International Women’s Day Albania, North Macedonia: Mothers’ Day Azerbaijan: Women’s Day Bosnia & Herzegovina: Mothers’ Day Belarus: Women’s Day China: Zhonghe Festival Colombia: Women´s Day Germany: Reformation Day Eritrea: Women’s Day Nigeria: Women’s Day Nepal: Nari Dibas El Salvador: Women’s Day Syria: Revolution Day Turkmenistan: Turkmen Woman’s Day Taiwan: Women’s Day

March 9
Belize: National Heroes and Benefactors Day Ecuador: Special Working Day (compensation for Carnival Monday) Lebanon: Teachers’ Day

March 11
Australia: Labor Day Australia: Adelaide Cup Australia: Canberra Day Belize: Day Off for National Heroes and Benefactors Day Canada: Commonwealth Day Cyprus, Greece: Green Monday Gibraltar: Commonwealth Day
March 11
Lesotho: Moshoeshoe’s Birthday Lithuania: Independence Day/National Day New Zealand: Taranaki Anniversary Day Turks & Caicos, Tuvalu, British Virgin Islands: Commonwealth Day

March 12
China: Arbor Day Mauritius: National Day Zambia: Youth Day

March 13
Liberia: Decoration Day Holy See:
Anniversary of the Election of Pope Francis

March 14
Andorra: Constitution Day Albania:
Summer Day St Vincent & the Grenadines: National Heroes Day

March 15
Belarus: Constitution Day Hungary:
1848 Revolution Memorial Day Liberia: J. J.
Roberts Birthday Palau: Youth Day

March 16
Ecuador: Special working day
(compensation for Carnival Tuesday)

March 17
Bangladesh: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Birthday Canada,
Ireland, Montserrat, United Kingdom, United States:
St. Patrick’s Day United States: Evacuation Day

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