Securely Travel Alert - 24 October 2019

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Summary

- Crisis - United States (California), Uruguay, Lebanon, Chile, Bolivia, Turkey
- Health - Ebola, Measles, MERS
- Weather - United States (Hawaii), Spain, France, Italy
- Government Travel Alerts - Global

Crisis

United States - California - The Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has announced that as many as 16 counties may lose power beginning on 23 October.

Lebanon - The US embassy is advising all travelers to reconsider travel to Lebanon due to ongoing civil unrest, crime, terrorism, and conflict. The latest round of protests apparently are keyed to the state’s intent to tax “WhatsApp.”

Uruguay - Anti-reform protests have broken out throughout Montevideo, and other major cities in advance of the 27 October vote on a constitutional referendum which increases security measures, creates a national guard, and permits night searches of homes.

Chile - State of emergency is in effect in all major cities including Santiago. A general strike has been called for 24 and 25 October. The President Sebastian Pinera apologized on 22 October and acknowledged accumulated economic stress upon the population has caused an untenable situation. His apology was followed by more widespread protests.

All public transportation is running at very reduced capacity. Travel in and out of Santiago may be effected. If you arrive during curfew ensure you obtain a safe conduct pass “salvoconducto” to enable travel during curfew hours.

Chile’s borders: Argentina has closed the Mendoza, Argentina land border crossing through 23 October (check before you travel given the general strike call for 24 and 25 October). Peru and Bolivia have also closed the border during evening hours. Embassies in Santiago may be closed for business, call first.

Bolivia - US Department of State and UK FCO have both issued travel advisories due to civil unrest and recurring demonstrations, strikes and roadblocks. (Read the full advisories on our Alert page).

Turkey - Numerous nations are warning their citizens about travel to Turkey, specifically, eastern-Turkey along the Syrian border area due to conflict.

Health

The CDC has issued a Level 2 Alert for the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to increased cases of Ebola. We have previously discussed the DRC and Ebola.

The World Health Organization has issued an alerts with respect to a Measles outbreak in Lebanon and a Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) for Saudi Arabia.

Weather

United States - Hawaii - Tropical depression is forming to the south of the Big Island of Hawaii.

France - Severe storm warnings are in effect with threat of flash flooding in the south.

Spain - Severe storm warnings are in effect, especially in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.

Italy - Severe, torrential rain across northern Italy has caused widespread flash flooding. Over 250mm (10 inches) of rain dropped in 12 hours. The fire department in Vigil Del Fuoco conducted over 900 operations in response.