Securely Travel Alert - 08 November 2019

Sections:

• Crisis
• Health
• Weather
• Government Travel Alerts, Advisories and Warnings

Section 1 - Crisis

Hong Kong - A Hong Kong student/protester died in hospital due to injuries sustained from a fall last week during a police action. This death, according to Steve Vickers (a risk analyst resident in Hong Kong) “will revive the demonstrations and feed into the hysteria amplified by social media.” Vicker’s continues how the “unrest has changed in nature, with demonstrator numbers falling, violence rising, and pop up demonstrations spreading across Hong Kong.” The US Consulate in Hong Kong issued an alert specifying locales where protests were likely - Tamar Park in Admiralty, Tuen Mun, Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Shatin, Tai Po, Mongkok, Causeway Bay, and Tseung Kwan O - Travelers should fact this into their movements this weekend.

Germany - Air travel to and through Frankfurt and Munich continues to be disrupted and will through Friday 08 November due to the flight attendants of Lufthansa, Eurowings, Germanwings, Sunexpress Germany and Lufthansa Cityline all continue their strike through today. Lufthansa advises that over 180,000 travelers will be impacted and 1300+ flights have been canceled. Lufthansa’s efforts to rebook all passengers hasn’t been successful and they are urging affected travelers to use the rebook function on their website(s) and to make use of the self-service facilities for theirown rebooking, refund of their tickets and issuing rail vouchers. To read more: Lufthansa Strike will affect travel 7-8 November. To check the status of your flight for Lufthansa (only): Check flight status

France - Yellow Vest protests are expected on 09 November and then again on 17 November. Organizers have posted details with assembly points on the French language site: Manifestation à Paris des Gilets jaune. Read: Is Paris Burning where we discuss Yellow Vest protests.

Bolivia - On Wednesday, Patricia Arce, the mayor of Vinto, Bolivia, was attacked by antigovernment protesters and doused with red paint on Wednesday. Protests continue. The UK’s FCO updated their travel guidance emphasizing how unpredictable the political situation is and that the risk to traveler safety is high.

Jamaica - The state of emergency has been extended. State of Emergency is Jamaica provides law enforcement the ability to detain and deport; enter premises without warrants and to seize property. Read our country brief on Jamaica (Jamaica Country Brief).

Section 2 - Health

Fiji - Measles outbreak. The Australian government in the latest update of their travel advisory on Fiji, highlighted the need for travelers to be up-to-date on their vaccinations. The Australian Government Department of Health noted that measles were also present in New Zealand, Philippines, Samoa and Tonga.

Section 3 - Weather

United Kingdom - Heavy rains accompanied by flash flood warnings (over 100 as of this writing) have caused disruption across northern England. Overnight, a shopping center in Sheffield was made into a evacuation center as flood waters isolated those within the complex. Flooding is expected to continue through Friday.

United States - The National Weather Service has issued an alert for severe Arctic like weather for the period 08-12 November affecting the high plains and Great Lakes region. Temperatures as much as 25 degrees below normal will spread as far south as southern Texas today before moderating somewhat on Saturday. A broad upper-level trough will continue to send periodic surges of arctic air from Canada into the U.S.

Bangladesh - Cyclone “Bulbul” is expected to make landfall on 9 or 10 November, according to the Australian government’s warning to their citizens.

Section 4 - Alerts

Read all the global alerts from the US, UK, Canada and Australia - International Advisories Page