LEGEND TRAVEL NEWS ALERT 4 MAR 2019 MARCH 4, 2019

 

AMERICAS

United States

Due to inclement weather, there is a traffic management program in effect for flights arriving to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). This is causing some arriving flights to be delayed an average of 3 hours and 41 minutes. Travelers are advised to reconfirm flights and allow additional travel time.

Haiti

Travelers in country should minimize non-essential movement as further demonstrations remain likely during the ongoing political crisis. Anti-government demonstrations have taken place in Port-au-Prince and other urban centers since February 7. Air Canada has suspended all direct flights into Port-au-Prince, and other airlines have announced plans to dramatically reduce flights into the country. Some international hotels, such as Karibe Hotel and Moulin Sur Mer, have closed or may experience compromised safety due to staff shortages.

Mexico

Travelers in Morelos, Puebla and Tlaxcala states, as well as Mexico City, should plan journeys accounting for possible disruption due to increased activity at the Popocatepetl Volcano. On March 2, the National Center for Prevention of Disasters (CENAPRED) recorded 38 explosions, ash emissions, and tremors at the volcano, which is located 56 miles southeast of Mexico City. CENAPRED has warned of potential landslides and mudflows. No evacuation orders have yet been issued, but a Yellow Alert (second-highest level on a three-tier scale) is in place, meaning that populations near the volcano need to prepare for potential evacuation.

Travelers in Cancun are reminded of the risks posed by violent crime after three people were killed, and one injured on March 2 in a shooting near the main access road to the city’s Hotel Zone. The shooting, which local police have said involved rival gang members, took place on Avenida Bonampak near the junction of Hotel Zone access road Boulevard Kukulcan at around 1:10 PM local time.

Venezuela

Today and tomorrow, travelers should continue to avoid non-essential movement amid planned anti-government protests. Juan Guaido, the National Assembly-recognized interim President, has returned to Venezuela after meeting with regional leaders and called for protests in Caracas and other cities between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM local time. Travelers should avoid all such gatherings due to the risk of unrest.

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

Regional

Travelers in Uganda and Rwanda should reconfirm the status of the Gatuna Border Crossing before setting out due to an ongoing diplomatic dispute between the two countries. Rwandan authorities claim the border is still open; however, movement through the crossing point has been hampered since February 27, with 130 trucks currently unable to cross into Rwanda. Uganda has accused Rwanda of deliberately blocking the entry of goods and vehicles, while Rwanda says the blockage is due to construction work. Authorities have advised travelers to use the Kagitumba Border Crossing until the Gatuna crossing is fully operational.

Algeria

Travelers in urban centers should avoid further demonstrations against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s decision to run for a fifth term in the April 18 Presidential Election. Yesterday, the President’s Campaign Director submitted his official candidacy papers to the Constitutional Council. Related demonstrations in Algiers have been held along Rue Didouche Mourad, at Place Maurice Audin, Grande Poste, Place du 1er Mai, as well as at the Constitutional Council and university campuses.

Lebanon

Today, travelers in Beirut should avoid a protest at 5:30 PM local time outside the Bouri House Building on Abdallah Bayham Street. The protest is being organized by the “You Stink” activist group against the planned construction of a dam in the Bisri Valley, which lies on a seismic fault line. Although the protest is likely to pass off peacefully, travelers should avoid it as a precaution and plan routes bypassing nearby areas to minimize inconvenience.

Nigeria

Today, travelers in Abuja should avoid a protest at 9:00 AM local time at Unity Fountain. The Occupy Nigeria Movement has organized the demonstration to denounce the results of the February 23 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

Today through Thursday, March 7, travelers in Port Harcourt are advised to avoid protests scheduled to take place daily at 9:00 AM local time at Isaac Boro Park. The event, dubbed “Kick Wike Out,” is being organized by All Progressives Congress politician and former Rivers’s Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in protest of the current Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Senegal

Travelers should exercise caution and avoid all gatherings related to the release of the official results of the February 24 Presidential Election on or around March 5. According to provisional results, incumbent Macky Sall won the election with just over 58% of the vote, while main opposition leader and runner-up Idrissa Seck won around 20%. Opposition protests were held in Dakar, Thies, and Ziguinchor following the announcement. Although the opposition has declined to legally challenge the results, further protests are possible following the declaration of official results.

Seychelles

On Thursday, March 7, travelers in Victoria should expect disruption to travel and business activity during a state funeral for former President France-Albert Rene. March 7 has been declared a public holiday. The former President’s coffin will be taken from State House to the People’s Stadium for members of the public to pay their respects at 9:30 AM local time. After an inter-faith service at the stadium at 2:30 PM local time, the funeral procession will move to the Mont Fleuri Cemetery for burial.

South Africa

Today, travelers using the N2 Highway to or from Cape Town should reconfirm its status before setting out. Reports indicate that protesters have blocked the highway at Sir Lowry’s Pass Road and Bot River.

Sudan

Normal travel to Sudan can resume despite the imposition of a year-long State of Emergency on February 22. Although near-daily protests have continued, they have remained relatively small, with attendance in the low thousands. Apparent differences between President Omar al-Bashir and the head of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), Salah Gosh, seem to have been contained for the time being. Travelers should continue to monitor developments, exercise enhanced caution, and avoid all protests due to the potential for further unrest.

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

Regional

Yesterday, limited international flights resumed at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal (LHE) and Faisalabad (LYP) international airports; international flights have also been operating since March 1 out of Islamabad (ISB), Karachi (KHI), Peshawar (PEW), and Quetta (UET). The country’s other airports will remain closed through 1:00 PM local time tomorrow, amid ongoing tensions with India. Travelers should monitor developments closely and expect flight disruption until operations fully normalize.

China

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 yesterday, while meetings of the National People’s Congress will begin tomorrow. 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.

Papua New Guinea

Today, travelers in Madang province should exercise caution after a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck 25 miles off the coast at a depth of six miles at 8:06 PM local time. Shaking was felt in Madang town, but no damage was reported. No Tsunami Warnings were issued.

Tajikistan

Travelers should plan journeys accounting for a heightened risk of avalanches due to unseasonably warm weather and reconfirm the status of routes prior to setting out on overland travel. Today, the Committee of Emergency Situations advised travelers to avoid all affected routes, including parts of the M41 and M34 motorways. At least 76 avalanches were reported yesterday and today.

Turkey

On Friday, March 8, travelers should avoid all gatherings linked to International Women’s Day due to the potential for local unrest. While a rally yesterday in the Bakirkoy district of Istanbul passed off without incident, local disturbances have occurred during related events in the past. A heightened security presence and travel disruption can be expected around all gatherings on and around Friday, March 8, including in Ankara.

Europe

Belarus

Tomorrow and Wednesday, March 6, travelers in Belarus, including Minsk, should anticipate disruption due to forecast adverse weather conditions, including strong winds. The government has issued an Advisory Warning people to minimize time spent outdoors on these days and to exercise particular caution in the vicinity of trees, bridges, overpasses, pipelines, and other potentially unsecured structures. Travelers are advised to reconfirm the status of roads, transportation, and appointments before setting out.

Netherlands

Today, passengers transiting Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) should reconfirm flight schedules before setting out. The airport has warned of delays and cancellations due to strong winds. Gusts of up to 56 miles per hour are forecast to affect the city. Reports indicate that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has canceled 72 European flights scheduled for today.

United Kingdom

Today, travelers in England and Wales should plan journeys accounting for potential disruption caused by the passage of Storm Freya. A Yellow Wind Warning (lowest on three-tier scale) was issued for parts of Wales, southwest England, the Midlands, and northern England. The Met Office warning, in force until 6:00 AM local time, did not cover London or southeast England. Flight delays and cancellations remain possible today, including at Cardiff (CWL), Liverpool (LPL) and Manchester (MAN) airports. Delays to train and ferry services are also possible.

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

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, French
Guiana, 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 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
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

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