LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 9 APR 2019 APRIL 9, 2019

AMERICAS

United States

Today through Friday, April 12, travelers in Midwestern and Mountain states should plan journeys accounting for disruption during the passage of a major winter storm.

The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Watches for several counties in Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Authorities expect up to 24 inches of snow accumulation and wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour in affected areas. The severe weather will exacerbate the situation in parts of the Midwest that remain flooded or are at a risk of flooding following a similar storm in March. Hundreds of flights at Denver International Airport (DEN) were canceled today due to the winter storm.

Argentina

Tomorrow, travelers in La Plata should avoid a rally by students over grievances related to public transportation fares. Participants will march at 11:00 AM local time from the National University of La Plata to the Infrastructure Ministry.

Haiti

Travelers should continue to exercise caution due to the persistent risk of unrest linked to a protracted political crisis, as well as an associated increase in violent criminality. Opposition groups continue to demand that President Jovenel Moise be removed to make way for a transitional government. Tensions have been exacerbated by fuel shortages and clashes between rival gangs, especially in Port-au-Prince.

Mexico

Today, travelers in Chiapas should avoid rallies organized by the CNI-CIG indigenous union as a precaution. Participants will march in several urban centers, including Tuxtla Gutierrez, Arriaga, Comitan de Dominguez, Ocosingo, Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas and Tapachula at 9:00 AM local time. The events will mark the 100th anniversary of the assassination of revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata and will highlight several issues, including demands for greater inclusion of indigenous people in Mexican society and opposition to recent education reforms.

Today, travelers in Mexico City and other urban centers should anticipate and avoid protests associated with a 24-hour strike called by the CNTE teachers’ union. Teachers are also intending to establish indefinite protest camps in Mexico City outside the Senate and Chamber of Deputies. The events have been organized in response to planned education reforms.

Uruguay

Tomorrow, travelers in Montevideo should anticipate local disruption and avoid a planned demonstration organized by the PIT-CNT labor union to minimize inconvenience. Activists will gather at 6:00 PM local time at the Plaza Libertad. The action is being called in protest of perceived impunity and in support of democracy.

Venezuela

All travel to Venezuela should be deferred amid an ongoing political crisis; all travelers in country should depart. Sporadic power outages and shortages of food, water and fuel, as well as demonstrations in urban centers, have exacerbated the situation. Juan Guaido, the National Assembly-recognized interim President, has called for nationwide protests today to demand the removal of President Nicolas Maduro.

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

Algeria

Today, police fired tear gas to disperse ongoing demonstrations in the center of Algiers. Locations that are reported to have been affected include Place Maurice Audin, Place de Mauritanie, Boulevard Amirouche, and Grande Poste.

Travelers should continue to avoid all gatherings following the appointment of Senate Speaker Abdelkader Bensalah as the acting President yesterday. Bensalah assumed Presidential duties following the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika on April 2. His appointment prompted protests by students in Algiers, with a fresh march planned in the city today. The rally will coincide with a nationwide general strike. Further nationwide opposition protests are planned for Friday, April 12, though details are not available.

Today, travelers in urban centers should anticipate disruption and avoid all gatherings related to a multi-sector general strike called by 12 labor unions over political grievances. A rally will be held in Algiers at 10:00 AM local time at Place du 1er Mai. Although associated demonstrations are expected to pass off peacefully, they should be avoided as a precaution.

Congo (DRC)

Today, travelers in the city of Lubumbashi are advised to avoid the vicinity of the Provincial Assembly building due to reports of unrest. Reports indicate that police have used tear gas to disperse supporters of President Felix Tshisekedi’s Union for Democracy and Social Progress party, who had attempted to access the building. Sources also suggest that live fire has been used against protesters around the assembly building and on nearby Avenue Sandoa.

Today, travelers in Congo (DRC) should avoid all political gatherings around Gubernatorial Elections. The results are expected to be announced between April 26 and May 2. The risk of political violence during campaigning was underlined by clashes on April 8 in Lubumbashi between supporters of President Felix Tshisekedi and ex-President Joseph Kabila, in which 11 people were injured. Travelers in Beni, Butembo, and Yumbi should exercise caution following the release of the provisional results of delayed General and Provincial Elections yesterday.

Ethiopia

Travelers in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR), particularly Hawassa, should anticipate rallies by the ethnic-Sidama community. The community is demanding a referendum on self-determination. Yesterday, a related women’s rally in Hawassa passed off peacefully; however, there remains a potential for violence during such gatherings. Large gatherings and associated road closures could cause significant disruption.

Ghana

Today, protesters have blocked a highway passing through the town of Tarkwa. They are protesting poor roads in the area.

Iran

Travelers in Iran should continue to exercise caution and anticipate further disruption caused by heavy rain and flooding across the country. Further rainfall is forecast to affect various parts of Golestan, Khuzestan, and Lorestan provinces through Sunday, April 14. According to international media reports, at least 70 people have been killed, and 791 others injured in flash floods since mid-March, while the adverse weather has affected 26 of the country’s 31 provinces. A State of Emergency has been declared in several provinces, and dozens of villages have been evacuated ahead of the forecast rainfall.

Nigeria

Travelers are reminded to avoid all non-essential travel to Yobe state following a fresh attack by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram yesterday. Militants attacked the town of Maisandari, on the outskirts of Damaturu, via the Maiduguri-Kano Road at around 5:00 PM local time, reportedly in an attempt to infiltrate Damaturu itself. Sporadic gunshots and explosions were heard in the town, before security forces were deployed at around 6:00 PM local time to prevent the militants from reaching Damaturu. Early reports indicate that eight suspected assailants were killed.

Somalia

Today, travelers in Mogadishu are advised to avoid the vicinity of a reported explosion near the Shaqalaha Junction in the KM4 area. The explosion was reportedly caused by an improvised explosive device placed inside a vehicle.

Togo

On Saturday, April 13, travelers should avoid demonstrations by the opposition Pan-African National Party (PNP) to demand government reforms and the release of political prisoners. Demonstrations will be held in Lome, Afagnan, Keve, Bafilo, Dapaong, Mango, Kpalime, Sokode, and Tchamba. Authorities have vowed to take stringent actions to prevent violence, though organizers claim that the protests will be peaceful.

Tunisia

Further protests over a controversial fuel price increase can be anticipated, despite public transportation operators calling off planned demonstrations for today and tomorrow and should be avoided as a precaution. The protests were canceled following successful negotiations between the UTICA union and the government. The latter has agreed to meet several demands made by public transportation operators, including increasing fares by 8% beginning in January 2020 and lowering insurance costs.

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

Australia

Today, travelers in Melbourne should allow plenty of time for journeys through the central business district (CBD) due to an ongoing union rally. Around 100,000 workers are marching through the CBD to the State Parliament building, which they intend to reach by 1:30 PM local time. The rally has disrupted road traffic, while tram services have been diverted. The march is being held to demand increased salaries, among other things.

Bangladesh

Today, tomorrow and April 19, travelers in Dhaka should avoid planned rallies by the ruling Awami League-led alliance. Gatherings will be held in the Motijheel area today and the Dhanmondi area tomorrow, while the rally on April 19 will be at Suhrawardy Udyan. The latter event is being organized to mark the formation of Bangladesh’s first government. Today, travelers in Dhaka should avoid a farmers’ protest at 11:00 AM local time at the National Press Club. The event has been organized by multiple farmers’ organizations over a range of agricultural issues. The protest is likely to be well attended, causing disruption around the National Press Club.

India

On April 1-2, cross-border shelling in Rajouri and Poonch districts along the Line of Control (LoC) killed at least three Indian civilians and injured 24 others. This follows cross-border firing near the LoC overnight on March 1-2 which killed at least three Indian civilians in Poonch and Baramulla. Bilateral tensions continue, despite easing since Pakistan’s return of a captured Indian Air Force pilot on March 1. Travelers should monitor all developments closely.

Myanmar

A curfew has been imposed in several townships in the Mrauk-U and Sittwe districts of Rakhine state, following increased fighting between the military and insurgents from the ethnic-Rakhine Arakan Army (AA). Until June, a curfew will be in place between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM local time in Kyauktaw, Minbyar and Mrauk-U, as well as Ponnaygun and Rathedaung. Travelers are reminded of the need to reconfirm the feasibility of journeys and follow all official directives. Travel to Rathedaung should be for essential purposes only. Reports suggest authorities have stopped tourists from entering Mrauk-U township.

Pakistan

On March 27, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) reopened international and domestic flights to all airports in the country; however, partial airspace restrictions affecting overflying flights will remain in effect until at least 3:00 PM local time on April 24. These partial airspace restrictions are expected to mainly impact flights between Pakistan and India, amid increased tensions. Airspace restrictions have been extended on a daily basis, and further extensions are possible in the coming days. Travelers should continue to expect disruption and reconfirm schedules until flight operations over Pakistan fully normalize.

Today, travelers in Karachi should avoid Gul Bai Flyover in Sher Shah colony. An oil tanker had overturned on the bridge, causing a large fire. The bridge has been closed as firefighters attempt to contain the blaze.

Thailand

Today, travelers in Bangkok should avoid the area around the CentralWorld complex during an ongoing fire. The Bangkok Convention Center and the Centara Grand Hotel are part of the complex, while other hotels and two BTS Skytrain stations (Chit Lom and Siam) are in the vicinity. The CentralWorld Shopping Mall has been evacuated. Those in the area should follow all official directives.

EUROPE

Germany

Today, travelers in major cities should anticipate disruption and potential taxi shortages during a planned strike and related demonstrations by taxi drivers over the proposed liberalization of passenger transportation services. In Berlin, taxi drivers will observe a strike between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM local time, during which they plan to drive slowly from Olympischer Platz, Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL) and the East Railway Station to Brandenburg Gate, where a rally will be held at 1:30 PM local time. Up to 5,000 vehicles are expected to participate. Other major rallies will take place in 30 additional cities.

Ukraine

Travelers in Ukraine should avoid all gatherings during the Presidential Election period. There is a heightened risk of unrest in the lead-up to the run-off vote on April 21 as Volodymyr Zelenskiy of the opposition Servant of the People Party and incumbent Petro Poroshenko of the ruling Solidarity Party (BPP) continue to campaign. Clashes between supporters and counter-demonstrators may occur during rallies.

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

April 9
Canada: Vimy Ridge Day
Georgia: Independence
Restoration Day
Philippines: The Day of Valor
Tunisia: Martyrs’ Day
Kosovo: Constitution Day of the
Republic of Kosovo

April 10
Costa Rica: Battle of Rivas

April 11
Costa Rica: Battle of Rivas

April 12
Bolivia: Children´s Day
Liberia: Fast and Prayer Day
Thailand: Songkran (Observed)


April 13

Bangladesh: Chaitra Sankranti
India: Rama Navami
Sri Lanka: Sinhala and Tamil New
Year’s Eve
Moldova: Special Working Day
Thailand: Songkran
Vietnam: Hung Kings Festival
Holiday

April 14
Palm Sunday
Bangladesh: Bengali New Year
Bhutan: Death Anniversary of
Zhabdrung (Zhabdrung Kuchoe)
Honduras: America Day
India: Vaisakhi
India: Mesadi/Vaisakhadi
India: Ambedkar Jayanti
Cambodia: Khmer New Year Day
(Day 1)
Sri Lanka: Sinhala and Tamil New
Year’s Day
Nepal: Nepali New Year
Pakistan: Baisakhi
Thailand: Songkran
Vietnam: Hung Kings Festival

April 15
Israel: Yom HaAliyah
Cambodia: Khmer New Year Day
(Day 1 Observed)
Cambodia: Khmer New Year Day
(Day 2)
North Korea: Birth Date of Kim Il
Sung
Malaysia: Declaration of Malacca
as Historical City
Thailand: Songkran
United States: Tax Day
United States: Patriot’s Day
Vietnam: Hung Kings Festival
Holiday

April 16
Cambodia: Khmer New Year Day
(Day 3)
Thailand: Songkran (Observed)
United States: Emancipation Day

April 17
American Samoa: Flag Day
Gabon: Women’s Rights Day
India: Mahavir Jayanti
Syria: Independence Day

April 18
Holy Thursday
Zimbabwe: Independence Day

April 19
Good Friday
Argentina: Passover Eve
Israel: Ersev Pesach
Sri Lanka: Bak Full Moon Poya Day
eSwatini: Birthday of King Mswati
III
Venezuela: Declaration of
Independence

April 20
Holy Saturday
Argentina, Australia, Canada,
Israel, United Kingdom, United
States: First Day of Passover
Philippines: Black Saturday
Pakistan: Shab e-Barat

April 21
Easter Sunday
Argentina: Second Day of Passover
Bangladesh: Shab e-Barat
Brazil: Tiradentes Day
Falkland Islands: Queen’s Birthday
Israel: Pesach II (Passover)
Iran: Imam Mahdi’s Birthday
Pakistan: Ridván
United States: San Jacinto Day

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