LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 22 FEB 2019 FEBRUARY 22, 2019

 

AMERICAS

Regional

Travelers in the Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru tri-border area should exercise cau on following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Ecuador’s Morona San ago province. The epicenter was recorded around 124 miles east of Cuenca, close to the border with Peru, at a depth of 82 miles. The quake was felt as far away as Bogota. No damage or casual es have yet been reported.

Haiti

All travel to Hai should be deferred due to violent and disrup ve an -government demonstra ons. Travelers in-country, par cularly in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Hai en and other urban centers, should con nue to minimize movement. Opposi on demonstra ons demanding President Jovenel Moise’s removal have taken place since February 7. While low-level commercial ac vity has resumed in recent days amid a rela ve lull in unrest in Port-au-Prince, opposi on leaders have rejected proposed economic reforms and dialogue; renewed protests are planned for today.

Venezuela

Travelers should con nue to minimize non-essen al movement amid the ongoing poli cal crisis in the country. The opposi on is calling on President Nicolas Maduro to resign in favor of Juan Guaido, the Na onal Assembly-recognized interim President. Guaido and Maduro have both called for demonstra ons tomorrow over the delivery of humanitarian aid, though related gatherings are also expected today.

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

Algeria

Today and Sunday, February 24, travelers in urban centers should an cipate and avoid further demonstra ons against incumbent Abdelaziz Boute ika’s decision to run for a h term in the upcoming Presiden al Elec on. Opposi on groups have called for na onwide gatherings over the issue. Among these, the El Mouwatana coali on has called for a protest in Algiers on Sunday, February 24 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM local me on Place Maurice Audin, with other gatherings planned at the same me outside government headquarters in each province. All such rallies should be avoided as a precau on. Uncon rmed reports indicate that authori es may disrupt internet services today.

Bahrain

Today, travelers should an cipate and avoid planned opposi on protests as a precau on. The “14 February Youth Coali on” has called for demonstra ons against what it perceives as the government’s improved rela ons with Israel. Poten al venues for the rallies, which are likely to begin a er midday prayers, include popular protest sites such as Al Farooq Junc on and the Abu Saiba, Diraz and Shakhura neighborhoods. Security forces are liable to break up the unauthorized gatherings, posing incidental risks to bystanders.

Mozambique

Today, four people were injured in Cabo Delgado province when a convoy of a foreign oil company o cials was a acked by at least 15 armed assailants. The incident occurred on a road between Mocimboa da Praia and Palma at approximately 4:50 PM local me. Although the iden es of the assailants are unknown, the a ack was likely conducted by the Islamist militant al-Sunnah group. Travelers should exercise increased vigilance, par cularly in rural areas including Macomia, Mocimboa da Praia, Muidumbe, Nangade, Palma and Quissanga districts.

Nigeria

Today, travelers should minimize movement during vo ng for Presiden al and Parliamentary Elec ons. Non-essen al travel should be deferred through March 18 during the core elec on period, with Gubernatorial and State Assembly polls due to take place on March 9. Sporadic violence has taken place in several states during the campaign period. Travelers in country should con nue to closely monitor developments and avoid all ashpoint areas due to the risk of unrest.

Togo

Tomorrow, travelers in Lome should an cipate disrup on and avoid a planned demonstra on against the country’s use of the West African CFA Franc currency. Demonstrators are expected to march from the Ministry of Commerce to the French Embassy. A separate protest scheduled to take place in Kara over the same issue was banned by the local Prefect. Protests against the currency, which is backed by France, occur periodically, with par cipants demanding reduced French in uence on the country’s economy and polics.

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

China

Today through Sunday, February 24, authori es have announced an Orange Alert for air pollu on in Beijing and adjoining areas. Polluted air can cause symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and irrita on of the eyes and nose. Although young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with underlying heart or lung disease are more vulnerable, high levels of air pollu on can a ect everyone. Travelers should be aware of the pollu on levels and accordingly avoid or reduce exposure and physical ac vity outdoors.

Guam

Travelers should an cipate disrup on and maintain exible i neraries through Monday, February 25 during the passage of Typhoon Wu p. Although the storm is not expected to make landfall on Guam, the Na onal Weather Service (NWS) has warned that heavy rainfall associated with the Wu p’s passage could cause ash ooding across the island. The NWS has also issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Guam. Poor weather may disrupt opera ons at Antonio B. Won Pat Interna onal Airport (GUM), the only airport serving the territory, at short notice.

Northern Mariana Islands

Today through Tuesday, February 26, travelers should plan journeys accoun ng for poten al disrup on during the passage of Typhoon Wu p. The storm, on its current trajectory, is expected to pass southwest of the Northern Mariana Islands tomorrow night. The Na onal Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Rota, Saipan, and Tinian islands. A Flash Flood Watch is in place for Rota. Disrup on at Rota (ROP), Saipan (SPN), and Tinian (TIQ) interna onal airports, as well as to ferry services, is possible at short no ce due to the passage of Wu p.

Pakistan

On Sunday, February 24, travelers in Karachi should plan journeys bypassing a protest march organized by the hardline Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party. Par cipants will gather at the Mazar-e-Quaid Monument at 2:30 PM local me, before marching to the Bahadurabad area of the city. The march has been organized in protest of the alleged harassment of Kashmiris in India following a terrorist a ack in Pulwama district on February 14. Routes and areas likely to be impacted include Tariq Road, Shahrah-e-Quaideen, Bahadurabad, Shaheed-e-Millat Expressway, and Khalid bin Waleed Road.

Philippines

Tomorrow, passengers of Cebu Paci c transi ng Manila’s Ninoy Aquino Interna onal Airport (MNL) should expect disrup on and recon rm ights. The two of the airport’s runways will be closed for maintenance between 12:01 AM and 6:00 PM local me tomorrow. Both interna onal and domes c ights operated by Cebu Paci c will be a ected by the runway closure. A previous related runway closure on February 15-16 prompted the cancella on of more than 30 Cebu Pacific flights at the airport.

EUROPE

Regional

Travelers in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan should con nue to an cipate sporadic disrup on due to anonymous bomb threats. All such threats have so far been hoaxes. The threats have targeted universi es, government buildings, airports and other transporta on hubs, theaters, business centers, shopping malls, and schools. On February 14-15, over 5,000 people were evacuated from seven loca ons in Moscow; loca ons a ected included shopping malls, media o ces, railway sta ons, and government buildings.

France

Travelers in urban centers should con nue to avoid weekly protests by supporters of the “Yellow Vests” movement due to the risk of local unrest. The protests are usually held on Saturdays on Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris, though addi onal gatherings elsewhere are possible. Tomorrow, a march will start at 11:00 AM local me from the Arc de Triomphe to Cite de l’Architecture et due Patrimoine via Roundabout Bleuet de France and Rue de Rivoli. Addi onal protests will take place on Sunday, February 24 at 11:00 AM local me on Avenue des Champs-Elysees.

Georgia

Today, travelers in Tbilisi should avoid a planned march from the Supreme Court to Parliament to minimize inconvenience. The march has been organized by civil society and student groups in protest of dra legisla on on life me judicial appointments. The march will take place from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM local me.

Ireland

An increase in mumps cases has been reported na onwide. 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, and pain when swallowing. Serious complica ons can occur. All travelers should ensure they are fully vaccinated against mumps.

Italy

Today, travelers in urban centers should an cipate local disrup on around planned student protests over recent changes to the na onal secondary school exam. In Rome, protesters will gather at 9:00 AM local me in Piazzale Os ense and march to the Ministry of Educa on building; bus and tram lines in the vicinity will either be canceled or diverted. Similar ac ons are planned in at least 50 other ci es across the country.

Russia

Today, passengers of Aero ot transi ng Sheremetyevo Interna onal Airport (SVO), which serves Moscow, should an cipate disrup on and recon rm the status of ights. The airline has canceled at least 15 ights and rescheduled others because of heavy snow and ice on the runway. Addi onally, several ights arriving to the facility today have been diverted to other airports including Domodedovo Moscow Airport (DME). Snowfall, which is expected to persist in the Moscow area through today, prompted Aero ot to cancel ten ights at Sheremetyevo Airport yesterday.

Spain

Travelers in Madrid and Catalonia should expect and avoid gatherings linked to the ongoing trial of imprisoned pro-Catalan independence poli cians. Catalan pro-independence par es have called for protests outside the Supreme Court building in Madrid during the trial, while related pro- and an -independence rallies can be expected in Barcelona. A related rally is scheduled at 6:00 PM local me on March 16 outside the Supreme Court in Madrid.

United Kingdom

Today, passengers transi ng London’s Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), and London City (LCY) airports should recon rm ights due to thick cloud cover in the area.

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

February 22
Canada: Yukon Heritage Day
Saint Lucia: Independence Day

February 23
Brunei: National Day
Belarus: Defender of the Fatherland Day
Guyana: Mashramani (Republic Day)
Kyrgyzstan: Defender of the Fatherland Day
Russia: Defender of the Fatherland Day

February 24
Estonia: Independence Day
Kuwait: National and Liberation
Day Holiday
Romania: Dragobete

February 25
Kuwait: National Day
Philippines: People Power Anniversary
Solomon Islands: Choiseul Province Day
Suriname: Revolution Day

February 26
Kuwait: Liberation Day

February 27
Dominican Republic:
Independence Day

February 28
Armenia: Feast of Saint Vartan
Spain: Day of Andalucía
Taiwan: 228 Memorial Day

March 1
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Independence Day
Bulgaria: Baba Marta
Switzerland: Republic Day
Spain: Day of the Balearic Islands
Micronesia: Yap Day
India: Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti
South Korea: Independence Movement Day
Moldova: Martisor (First Day of Spring)
Marshall Islands: Remembrance Day
Mongolia: Patriots’ Day
Paraguay: Heroes’ Day
Romania: Mărțișor
United Kingdom: St. David’s Day
United States: St. David’s Day

March 2
Anguilla: James Ronald Webster Day
Bangladesh: National Flag Day
Brazil, Panama: Carnival Saturday
Ethiopia: Adwa Victory Day
United States: Texas Independence Day

March 3
Bulgaria: Liberation Day
Brazil, Denmark, Norway, Panama:
Carnival Sunday
Georgia: Mothers’ Day
Japan: Dolls’ Festival/Girls’ Festival
Myanmar: Peasants’ Day
Malawi: Martyrs’ Day
Qatar: March Bank Holiday

March 4
Andorra, Argentina, St. Barts,
Bolivia, Brazil, Curaçao, Germany,
Dominica, Ecuador, French
Guiana, Panama, Trinidad and
Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela: Carnival
Australia: Labor Day
Bangladesh, Indonesia, India,
Myanmar, Mauritius, Malaysia,
Nepal, Pakistan, United Kingdom,
South Africa: Maha Shivaratri
Bulgaria: Liberation Day (Observed)
Guam: Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Day
Sri Lanka: Mahasivarathri Day
Malaysia: Anniversary of the coronation of the Sultan of Terengganu
British Virgin Islands: Lavity Stoutt’s Birthday

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