AMERICAS

USA

Today, travelers are advised to avoid the vicinity of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA due to reports early of an active shooter at the facility. The base is on lockdown, and authorities have warned the public to avoid the area.

Brazil

Today through Wednesday, April 10, travelers in urban centers should avoid demonstrations marking the first anniversary of the imprisonment of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The main protest will occur on Sunday, April 7 in Curitiba in front of the police headquarters in the Santa Candida area where Lula is imprisoned. The rallies are part of a larger protest campaign, with the Workers’ Party calling for Lula’s release.

Canada

Today, travelers in Montreal should anticipate disruption and avoid a rally by taxi drivers against a deregulation bill. Thousands of drivers from across Quebec will converge on the Transportation Ministry in the downtown area. Drivers previously held a prolonged strike in late March.

Mexico

Travelers in Oaxaca and Veracruz states should plan routes bypassing an ongoing protest blocking Federal Highway 185 near the town of Boca del Monte. Thousands of indigenous activists have set up roadblocks in protest of perceived poor treatment by the state government. Protesters have also detained several government employees, and threatened to set fire to government vehicles if their demands are not met.

Today, travelers in Mexico City should avoid a rally organized by the CNTE teachers’ union as a precaution. Participants will march at 9:00 AM local time from Plaza de la Constitucion to the Chamber of Deputies to demand educational reforms. Previous such protests have resulted in road closures.

Puerto Rico

On Sunday, April 7, travelers in San Juan should avoid demonstrations by the FMPR union against a proposed increase to the workday of teachers. Participants will march through the center of Old San Juan; the timing and route of the march have yet to be announced.

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST

Benin

Travelers in Benin should remain vigilant and continue to avoid all gatherings linked to the April 28 Legislative Elections due to the potential for unrest. Yesterday, security forces forcibly dispersed a protest outside the headquarters of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENA) in Cotonou, injuring at least four people.

Protests also took place in Kouffo. In the coming weeks, the opposition has called for further protests linked to the exclusion of their parties from the election. Heightened security measures should be expected in major cities ahead of the election.

Comoros

Non-essential travel should be deferred through April 26, amid continued tensions over President Azali Assoumani’s victory in elections on March 24. While earlier unrest around the election has subsided, more is possible, including in Moroni.

Mali

Today, travelers in Bamako should exercise caution and avoid an anti-government demonstration planned on Avenue de Independance at 2:00 PM local time due to the risk of unrest. The rally, organized by the leader of the High Islamic Council of Mali to denounce the security crisis in central Mali, has been banned by authorities.

There is an increased security force presence in the area, including near Bourse du Travail. Multiple civil society groups are supporting the event, which is expected to be well attended. There are also unconfirmed reports that internet services have been temporarily disrupted.

Rwanda

On Sunday, April 7, travelers in Kigali should expect disruption around “Kwibuka” ceremonies during the 25th anniversary of the 1994 genocide. As in past years, President Paul Kagame will lead an official ceremony at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

This year’s event, expected to be attended by some 25 national leaders, will start at 11:00 AM local time. A Walk of Remembrance will follow at 3:00 PM local time from Parliament to Amahoro National Stadium, where there will be a vigil at 6:00 PM local time. The Kigali Convention Center is hosting related events. Heightened security and road closures are expected today through Monday, April 8.

South Africa

Today, travelers in Johannesburg should anticipate disruption and allow additional travel time within the Central Business District due to an ongoing protest. Employees have gathered in front of the Johannesburg Roads Agency.

Travelers in Johannesburg should continue to avoid demonstrations in and around Alexandra Township over poor service delivery, crime, and illegal land use. Today, protesters blocked Far East Bank Street with burning objects. On Wednesday, April 3, demonstrators used burning tires to block routes to and from Alexandra and obstructed traffic on the N3 Highway near the Marlboro and London Road off-ramps. Security forces reportedly fired live ammunition into the air to disperse demonstrators. Any further such unrest would pose incidental risks to bystanders.

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

Australia

Today, emergency services continue to battle a large fire at a chemical factory on Thornycroft Street, Campbellfield in Melbourne. The fire started at around 6:40 AM local time. Although it initially spread to nearby premises, the fire has since been contained, and there is no wider threat, as the incident is isolated in an industrial park; however, the presence of hazardous material at the factory means that cleanup operations will continue for several days.

China

Human cases of H9N2 and H7N9 avian influenza have been reported in Jiangsu and Gansu provinces respectively. Bird flu can cause a mild to severe respiratory illness which may be fatal. Most people who have been infected have had direct exposure to birds. The risk of infection in the general population appears to be low. Travelers should prevent infection by paying attention to hygiene and avoiding contact with birds and their environment.

India

Travelers in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region should comply with civilian traffic restrictions on parts of National Highway 44. Civilian traffic will be denied access to the highway between Baramulla and Udhampur, passing through Srinagar, Qazigund, Jawahar-Tunnel, Banihal and Ramban, between 4:00 AM and 5:00 PM local time every Wednesday and Sunday through May 31. The move is intended to prevent targeted attacks on security force convoys, as there will be increased movement of government forces during the ongoing election cycle.

Turkey

Today and tomorrow, passengers transiting airports in Istanbul should anticipate disruption and reconfirm their itineraries during the transfer of all commercial flights to the newly-built Istanbul Airport (ISL). All flights at this facility and Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) will be grounded from 2:00 AM to 2:00 PM local time tomorrow during the transfer, while the new airport’s International Air Transport Association (IATA) code will change to IST at 3:00 AM local time on the same day. The main route between the two airports will temporarily close to support the transfer, exacerbating traffic congestion in the city.

EUROPE

Albania

Travelers in Tirana should continue to anticipate and avoid further anti-government protests. The main opposition Democratic Party of Albania (DP) has held weekly protests to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama over alleged government corruption. They are also calling for local elections to take place prior to June 30, as currently scheduled. A major rally is planned for April 13 at 6:00 PM local time outside the Prime Minister’s office. Travelers should avoid all further rallies over the issue.

Germany

Today, travelers in Berlin should plan routes bypassing a rally by striking bank workers to minimize inconvenience. Participants are due to gather at Breitscheidplatz at 10:00 AM local time before marching to Ernst-Reuter-Platz and back.

Greece

Today, passengers transiting Athens’ main railway station (also known as Larisis Station) should anticipate disruption and reconfirm itineraries after a protest disrupted train services. Migrants and refugees have reportedly blocked train tracks during a sit-down demonstration, resulting in the suspension of all services at the station.

Norway

Today, passengers transiting Bergen Airport (BGO) should reconfirm flights after flight operations were suspended due to radar failure earlier today.

Russia

On Sunday, April 7, travelers in Yekaterinburg and Arkhangelsk should avoid rallies over ecological issues to minimize disruption. In Yekaterinburg, an authorized gathering will be held at 12:00 PM local time at Defense Square. The event is expected to pass off peacefully. In Arkhangelsk, city officials have denied permission for a rally at Trade Unions Square.

Organizers have called on participants to gather at the venue at 12:00 PM local time. Travelers in the North Caucasus Republic of Ingushetia should avoid all further protests over a proposed land swap with the neighboring republic of Chechnya. Opponents of the agreement have said rallies will be held today through Tuesday, April 9, despite being denied permits. Further gatherings may occur on Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11. On March 26, around 10,000 people rallied outside the National Broadcasting Company in Magas to demand a referendum on the issue and the Governor’s resignation. Unauthorized rallies followed on March 27-28 in Nazran.

NOTEWORTHY EVENTS