LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 27 FEB 2019 FEBRUARY 27, 2019

 

AMERICAS

United States

Travelers in New York City should continue to anticipate disruption to rail travel following an accident on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) yesterday. Three people were killed, and several injured a er a car was struck by two passing commuter trains near Westbury Station. While limited service to the Oyster Bay, Port Je erson, and Ronkonkoma lines has been restored, delays are expected to continue through tomorrow due to track and platform repair work, impacting travel between Manhatan and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Haiti

Essential travel to Haiti can resume following a relative flully in unrest since February 23; however, travelers in country should minimize non-essential movement because further demonstrations remain likely during the country’s ongoing political crisis. The latest wave of violent and disruptive an -government demonstrations in Port- au-Prince, Cap-Hai en, and other urban centers began on February 7; opposition leaders have rejected proposed economic reforms and dialogues and are continuing to demand President Jovenel Moise’s removal.

Mexico

Travelers in Coatzacoalcos should anticipate additional patrols and security checkpoints and follow all official directives following the arrival of 450 federal troops on February 23. The deployment is intended to bolster security, following recent increases in crime rates, as well as the kidnapping and murder of a prominent local. The ini a ve is similar to others implemented by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador across the country to combat organized crime and will remain in e ect for the remainder of his six-year term.

Venezuela

Travelers in Venezuela should con nue to minimize non-essential movement amid the ongoing political crisis in the country. The opposition is calling on President Nicolas Maduro to resign in favor of Juan Guaido, the National Assembly-recognized interim President. On February 23-24, large demonstrations and clashes occurred along the borders with Colombia and Brazil over the delivery of humanitarian aid. All political gatherings entail the risk of unrest; security forces and pro-government mili as, known as “colec vos,” regularly use tear gas, rubber bullets, and occasionally live ammunition to disperse an -government protesters.

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

Algeria

Travelers in urban centers should avoid further demonstrations by opposition groups against incumbent President Abdelaziz Boute ika’s decision to run for a h term in the upcoming Presidential Elec on. Yesterday, nationwide demonstrations were held in major urban centers. Social media ac visits have called for further nationwide rallies on Friday, March 1. In addition, lawyers have planned a related protest at 10:00 AM local me tomorrow at Place Matoub Lounes in Tizi Ouzou.

Congo (DRC)

Key response ac vi es 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 a en on 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.

Cote d’Ivoire

Travelers in urban centers should expect and avoid further demonstrations by students to denounce an ongoing strike by primary, secondary, and public university teachers. The next rally is planned in Abidjan tomorrow. Supporters of the FESCI student union will stage a march at 9:30 AM local me from the University of Abidjan campus. Yesterday, related student demonstrations occurred nationwide. In Abidjan, police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

Egypt

Today, travelers in Cairo should avoid the Ramses Railway Station due to an ongoing re. The immediate cause of the re is not clear, but casualties have been reported. Emergency Services are on the scene and have evacuated the station. All services through the sta on have been suspended un l further no ce, while disruption and road closures should be expected in the vicinity.

Mozambique

On February 23, at least six people were killed, and several others injured a er armed assailants attacked their vehicle on a rural road between Macomia and Mucojo. The attack occurred at around 1:00 PM local me, approximately 62 miles south of the Afungi Peninsula, which is home to several liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) exploration sites. Travelers in Cabo Delgado should exercise increased vigilance.

Nigeria

Travelers should minimize movement following the announcement of Presidential and Parliamentary election results. Yesterday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the Presidential Elec on, triggering celebratory gatherings. Defeated opposition candidate A ku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said he will contest the result in the courts. Non-essential travel should be deferred through March 18 during the core election period; Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections are scheduled for March 9.

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

Afghanistan

Today, passengers transiting Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport (KBL) should recon rm the status of flights amid a closure of Pakistani airspace to commercial opera ons. Some flights from Kabul to Dubai and New Delhi have been canceled as a result. Travelers should reconfirm itineraries.

Fiji

Today and tomorrow, travelers on the Lau Islands and in the Lomaivi Group of islands should plan journeys accounting for possible disruption during the passage of Tropical Cyclone Pola. According to the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS), the weather system strengthened into a Category 3 Cyclone (third-highest level on a ve- er scale) yesterday. While Pola is not expected to make landfall in Fiji, it will bring heavy rain and strong winds, which may cause short-notice travel disruption. Opera ons at airports, par cularly Lakeba (LKB) and Moala (MJF) airports, may be impacted.

India

Flights have resumed across northern India a er airspace restrictions implemented for security reasons were li ed yesterday. The restrictions had affected opera ons at Amritsar (ATQ), Chandigarh (IXC), Dehradun (DED), Jammu (IXJ), Kangra (DHM), Kullu
Manali (KUU), Leh (IXL), Pathankot (IXP), Shimla (SLV), and Srinagar (SXR) airports; however, passengers transiting these facilities should anticipate residual flight disruption as schedules normalize and maintain flexible itineraries today.
Today and tomorrow, travelers in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region should anticipate disruption from a bandh (shutdown strike) called by separatist groups. This is the latest bandh led by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) separatist alliance over the status of the region and its permanent residents. It follows a militant attack on security force personnel on February 14 in Awantipora and the mass arrests of separatists, raising the risk of violence during strike-related protests. Expected high turnout is likely to mean significant disruption. Heightened security should be expected across the region.

Japan

A significant increase in rubella infections has been reported in several prefectures. Rubella is caused by a virus that spreads from person-to-person via infected droplets. Symptoms include fever and rash. Serious complications can occur when pregnant women are infected. Travelers should ensure that they are immune to rubella prior to arrival in Japan.
A signiticant increase in measles cases has been reported in some parts of the country, including Tokyo. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads from person-to-person via infected droplets. Outbreaks occur frequently in under- vaccinated populations. Common symptoms include fever, cough, and a characteristic rash. Measles can result in serious complications, particularly when very young children, the elderly or pregnant women are infected. All travelers should ensure that they are fully immunized against measles.

Pakistan

Travel to Pakistan can continue following a series of airstrikes carried out by the Indian Air Force near the border town of Balakot yesterday. The operation targeted camps belonging to the Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militant group. Unconfirmed reports suggest many militants have been killed. While there is little prospect of bilateral tensions easing in the near term, a significant deterioration in the broader security environment is not expected, and an all-out war remains unlikely. Pakistan’s airspace and airports reopened at 12:00 AM local me today. Yesterday, international and domestic flights were suspended at major airports, including Islamabad International (ISB), Lahore Allama Iqbal International (LHE), Karachi Jinnah International (KHI), Multan International (MUX), Sialkot International (SKT), Peshawar Becha Khan International (PEW) and Faisalabad International (LYP).
Today, travelers in Lahore should avoid an an -India rally called by hardline student organization, Islami Jamiat-e Talaba. Participants will march on Mall Road at 10:00 AM local me; the event is expected to conclude at 1:00 PM local me. The rally follows a series of counter-terrorism airstrikes carried out by the Indian Air Force yesterday near Balakot. Associated protests may also occur in front of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore. All rallies should be avoided due to the risk of local disturbances.

Tonga

Today through Friday, March 1, travelers should anticipate disruption and maintain flexible itineraries during the passage of Tropical Cyclone Pola. The weather system turned into a Category Three Tropical Cyclone (middle on a ve- er scale) yesterday. It is forecast to continue moving southwest, away from Tonga. Heavy rain and strong winds associated with Pola’s passage may prompt short-notice travel disruption across Tonga, while rough seas may cause flooding in low-lying areas.

Vietnam

Today and tomorrow, travelers in Hanoi should expect heightened security and related disruption ahead of and during a summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Unconfirmed reports suggest the meeting between the two leaders will be held at the Government Guest House. Both leaders arrived in the city yesterday. Access restrictions and road closures can be anticipated throughout the city through tomorrow. Travelers should allow plenty of me to complete journeys and follow all official directives during the summit period.

EUROPE

Albania

Travelers in Tirana and other urban centers should anticipate and avoid further demonstrations due to the risk of local unrest. Opposition leader Lulzim Basha has called for protests over perceived government corruption, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and a transitional government to prepare for fresh elections. The next demonstrations are scheduled for tomorrow and March 7 in front of Parliament in Tirana, with further nationwide demonstrations planned for March 16.

Russia

Today, travelers in Moscow and St Petersburg should anticipate and avoid unauthorized gatherings in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was murdered in Moscow on this date in 2015. On February 24, authorized, largely peaceful rallies were a ended by around 6,000 people in Moscow and 800 people in St Petersburg. Smaller rallies were held in other cities. Other events, which are likely to be unauthorized, are also possible today. In Moscow, the most likely gathering point is the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge, the site of Nemtsov’s murder.

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

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

March 5
Angola, Argentina, Australia,Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Germany,Dominica, Ecuador, FrenchGuiana, Haiti, Liechtenstein,Lithuania, Panama, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela: Carnival
Spain: Fifth of March
French Polynesia: Arrival of the first Missionaries
United States: Town Meeting Day
Vanuatu: Custom Chief’s Day

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 Losarultan of Terengganu
British Virgin Islands: Lavity Stoutt’s Birthday

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