EFTA01807819.pdf

From: Dave Johnson Sent: Friday, March 17, 2017 12:00 PM To: Zane Cc: G Charsley (Adler ANB); Myla Baker US; Ian Fitzpatrick Subject: Fwd: Daily Digest: 01:09 GMT 17 Mar 2017 Security / Medical / Tavel updates received =rom MedAire DAVE J email: Begin forwarded message: From: =/b>Daily Digest <[email protected]> Subject: =/b>Daily Digest: =1:09 GMT 17 Mar 2017 Date: =/b>March 16, 2017 at 9:10:21PM =DT To: =/b Daily =igest Africa Cameroon: Douala: Exercise caution in New Bell area following =epeated clashes between youths <x- msg://7/#1057284> Members in the =ommercial capital Douala (Littoral region) should exercise caution in =he coming days in the vicinity of the Shell New Bell junction following =n outbreak of violence on 15 March by youths armed with sticks, bottles =nd machetes. The violence, which included attacks on passers-by, was =riggered by the killing of a suspected thief in an incident of mob =ustice earlier in the week. Police intervened to re-establish order but =aution should be exercised in the area due to the risk of further =etaliation, which would pose incidental risk to bystanders. More <x-msg://7/#1057284> Rwanda: Western =order areas: Gun attack in Rusizi district reflects MEDIUM travel risk =n border region <x- msg://7/#1057304> EFTA_R1_00156428 EFTA01807819 Two Rwandan nationals early on =2 March were killed and another injured in an attack by unidentified =unmen in the Bugarama area of Rusizi district (Western province), near =he border with Burundi and Congo (DRC). The Rwandan authorities are =ttempting to identify the assailants, who reportedly fled to Burundi. =he incident serves as a reminder of the MEDIUM risks associated with =ravel to the border with Burundi and Congo (DRC), where incursions by =rmed groups, shelling or stray gunfire can temporarily increase =nsecurity in adjacent areas of Rwanda. More Senegal: Dakar: Expect, avoid =urther protests over mayor's arrest; related gatherings set for 17, 22 =arch <x- msg://7/#1057500> Members in the capital Dakar over the =oming days should anticipate and avoid all protests linked to the =ecent arrest of the city's mayor, Khalifa Sall, over alleged =mbezzlement of public funds. A hearing in the case is due to be held at =he High Court from 09.00 (local time) on 17 March, and related =emonstrations are possible on the day outside the court building and =he Town Hall, as well as the Rebeuss prison, where the mayor is being =etained. An additional pro-Sall rally is scheduled from 16.00 (local =ime) on 22 March in the city's Guediawaye suburb. More South Africa: Gauteng =rovince: Movement in vicinity of Springs Mall in East Rand can resume =fter attempted armed robbery (Revised) <x-msg://7/#10S7313> Normal =ovement in the vicinity of Springs Mall, in the East Rand area to the =ast of Johannesburg (Gauteng province), can resume after shots were =ired during an attempted armed cash-in-transit robbery earlier on 16 =arch. According to local media reports, two police officers and a =ystander were injured during a shoot-out near the mall's entrance; two =uspects were later arrested. The incident highlights the high levels of =iolent crime in the country and the need to adopt sensible precautions, =ven when in comparatively secure areas. More Americas Argentina: Urban centres: =void protests related to teachers' strike on 21.22 March =Revised) <x-msg://7/#1057492> Members in urban centres, including =he capital Buenos Aires and provincial capitals, on 21-22 March should =void demonstrations related to nationwide strikes by the CTERA =eachers' union over a number of issues in dispute with the government, =ncluding education funding and salaries. Members should avoid common =rotest locations in Buenos Aires city on both days, including the =ducation and labour ministries, Plaza de Mayo and the National Congress =see map). More <x-msg://7/111057492> Brazil: Yellow fever =utbreak The yellow fever outbreak in Brazil =ontinues. Initially affecting Minas Gerais State, cases have now been =onfirmed in the states of Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. =uspected cases are also under investigation in the states of Bahia, Rio =rande do Norte and Tocantins. In addition, other areas of Brazil are =onsidered at risk for yellow fever. Travellers visiting any area at =isk of yellow fever should be vaccinated at least ten days prior to =rrival. In addition, some travellers to and from Brazil are required to =how proof of vaccination to gain entry. More 2 EFTA_R1_00156429 EFTA01807820 Canada: Ontario, =uebec provinces: Reconfirm travel arrangements, continue to expect =isruption associated with winter storm Stella <x-msg://7/#1057277> Members travelling to southern parts of Ontario and Quebec =rovinces on 16 March should continue to maintain flexible itineraries =nd anticipate further travel disruption associated with winter storm =tella. Further snowfall is forecast to affect major cities, including =he capital Ottawa, Toronto (both Ontario province), Montreal and Quebec =ity (both Quebec province)on 16 March. According to the authorities, =any flights were delayed or cancelled at Toronto Pearson International =irport (YYZ, Ontario) and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International =irport (YUL, Quebec) on 14-15 March. Members should reconfirm travel =rrangements before setting out, to minimise inconvenience. More <x-msg://7/#1057277> El Salvador: San Salvador: =atal shootout near city centre highlights persistent crime =isks <x-msg://7/#1057491> At least six people were killed on 15 =arch in a shootout between gang members and private security guards in =he Mercado Central area in the centre of the capital San Salvador. The =uthorities subsequently launched a security operation and arrested five =uspects. The violence erupted when gang members opened fire on a =ecurity guard and fatally shot three nearby street vendors, triggering =he gunfight. Most shops and businesses in the area subsequently closed =ue to the unrest. The incident highlights the HIGH travel risk rating =or the country, particularly the capital where, principally due to gang =iolence, travel should only be undertaken for essential business =urposes. More <x-msg://7/#1057491> Mexico: Urban centres: Avoid =rotests related to national strike on 17-18 March by teachers' =nion <x- msg://7/#1057498> Members in urban centres around Mexico on =7.18 March should avoid all demonstrations associated with a 48-hour =ationwide strike by the CNTE teachers' union over educational reforms. =wo marches will be held on 17 March: one in Tuxtla Gutierrez (Chiapas =tate) at 09.00 from Diana Cazadora to Parque Central, and a second in =orelia (Michoacan state), starting at 10.00 (local time) from Casa de =obierno to the Centro Historico. More Peru: Disruption =elated to heavy rainfall, flooding persists in several regions; =aintain flexible itineraries <x- msg://7/#1057275> Members in or =ravelling to Ancash, Huancavelica, Junin, Lambayeque, Libertad, Lima, =iura and Tumbes regions, as well as the capital Lima, in the coming =ays should plan itineraries accounting for likely disruption caused by =ontinued heavy rainfall and resultant flooding. The flooding has =amaged roads and bridges in the aforementioned regions. Clean-up and =epair operations are under way. More United States: =ontinue to monitor developments following court ruling temporarily =locking new immigration restrictions <x-msg://7/#1057479> Members =ntending to travel to or from the US should continue to closely monitor =evelopments linked to a recent Executive Order detailing new =mmigration procedures. A federal judge in Hawaii state on 15 March =pproved a nationwide temporary restraining order against travel =estrictions within the Order, hours before the measure was to come into =ffect on 16 March. A similar ruling was subsequently issued by a =ederal judge in Maryland state. The rulings will prevent the various =estrictions in the Order from being implemented at least until legal =hallenges against the law are adjudicated at an as yet unspecified =ate. 3 EFTA_R1_00156430 EFTA01807821 More <x-msg://7/#1057479> Asia & the =acific Afghanistan: Kabul: Heavy =unfire reported near Habibiya High School on Darulam Road; avoid area =/a> <x- msg://7M1057483> SPECIAL ADVISORY Unconfirmed reports late on 16 March indicate that heavy =unfire took place near the Habibiya High School on Darulam Road in the =apital Kabul. Details of the incident are still emerging; more to =ollow. More <x-msg://7/#1057483> Afghanistan: Kabul: Reported =ilitant threat to Green Village Camp; reconfirm itineraries, stand-fast =rocedures The Ministry of Interior reported on =5 March that there is a potential militant plot to carry out a car bomb =ttack against the Green Village Camp in the capital Kabul. As yet, =here are no precise details about the timing or nature of the suspected =stack or the source of the threat information. Travellers in Kabul with =ppointments at the Green Village Camp should reconfirm their =tineraries and continue to minimise time spent near the perimeter of =he facility. Travellers at the camp should reconfirm stand-fast =rrangements and procedures. More American Samoa =US): Dengue outbreak <x-msg://7/#1057303> A public health emergency =as declared after cases of dengue fever were confirmed in American =amoa.Dengue is consistently present in the island and outbreaks are =lso ongoing in other Pacific islands.lt is spread by mosquitoes and can =ause a range of symptoms. It has no particular treatment. Some people, =specially those who have been infected before, get a more severe form =hat can lead to fatal complications. Although a vaccine has been =eveloped, it is only available in a small number of countries and is =ot recommended for travellers. Prevent infection by avoiding mosquito =ites. More <x-msg://7/#1057303> Bangladesh: Avoid planned =ationwide protests on 18 March over government's gas deal with foreign =ompany Members in the capital Dhaka and other =rban centres on 18 March should avoid the vicinity of planned =ationwide demonstrations over the government's agreement reached on 14 =arch with a South Korean oil and gas company, allowing the latter =ffshore gas exploration rights in the Bay of Bengal. The protest is =eing organised by National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral =esources, Power and Ports group to highlight various concerns, =ncluding the potential for increased gas prices and the trade deal's =rovision of corporate tax exemption benefits. More China: Hong Kong: =xpect localised disruption, make alternative transport arrangements =uring taxi operators' protests on 17 March <x-msg://7/#1057501> Members in Hong Kong should expect localised disruption and =ake alternative transport arrangements during protests by taxi =perators' unions in the morning hours of 17 March in the central =usiness district (CBD). The organisers plan to surround the Central =overnment Offices and the Legislative Council (LegCo) building in the =dmiralty area with 100 taxis, while 400 taxis will be parked on roads =round the harbourfront area in Central district. The operators are 4 EFTA_R1_00156431 EFTA01807822 =rotesting against a government plan to introduce 600 premium taxis in =ong Kong. The event in Admiralty will coincide with a discussion on the =roposal in the LegCo. More <x-msg://7/#1057501> India: Delhi, environs: =nticipate road blockades by protesting ethnic-Jats on 20 =arch <x-msg://7/#1057521> Members in the capital Delhi and the =djoining areas of National Capital Region (NCR) on 20 March should =xpect significant travel disruption during planned protests by the =thnic-Jat Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS) group. =BJASS, which has been campaigning for quotas for Tats in state =overnment jobs and educational institutions, has threatened to block =he prime minister's residence, the parliament building, and all =ighways and roads in Delhi on the day if its demands are not met. More <x-msg://7/14057521> India: Fatal sexual assault of =rish national in Goa highlights need for stringent =recautions cx-msg://7/#1057294> The police on 15 March arrested a =an from Canacona city (South Goa district, Goa state) on charges of =aping and killing a female Irish national. The victim had travelled to =outh Goa with a friend on 13 March, to participate in the celebration =f the Hindu festival of Holi (commonly referred to as the efestiv=l of colours'). Her body was found in Devbagh village the following =ay. The incident highlights the need for female travellers to adopt =tringent precautions at all times to mitigate the risk of sexual =ssault, particularly in tourist areas. More Maldives: Anticipate increased =ecurity, associated disruption during Saudi Arabian king's visit from =8 March <x- msg://7/#1057506> Members should expect heightened =ecurity and associated travel disruption during Saudi Arabian King =alman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's visit from 18 March until at least 22 =arch. Roads along the capital Male's northern waterfront on 18 March, =ncluding in the vicinity of Republic Square where the welcome ceremony =ill be held, will be closed from 12.00 (local time) until the event =nds on the day. More <x-msg://7/#1057506> North Korea: Malaysian nationals =hould continue to defer all travel due to government ban on leaving =ountry Nine Malaysians - three embassy staff =nd their family members — remain stranded in North Korea =ollowing a government ban on 7 March on Malaysian nationals from =eaving the country. The ban appears to be applicable only to embassy =mployees as two Malaysian UN workers were able to leave the country on = March. Nonetheless, we continue to advise all Malaysian nationals to =efer travel to North Korea during this period of heightened diplomatic =ensions following the assassination in Malaysia of Kim Jong-nam, the =alf-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Members from other =ountries can continue to travel to North Korea, but should monitor =evelopments closely and be fully aware of, and compliant with, the =ountry's strict regulations throughout their visit. More <x-msg://7/#1057514> Pakistan: =slamabad: Anticipate heightened security, associated disruption during =akistan Day celebrations on 23 March <x-msg://7/#1057486> Members =hould expect disruption associated with heightened security measures =nd large crowds in the capital Islamabad on 23 March during Pakistan =ay (also known as Republic Day) celebrations. About 5,000 security =orce 5 EFTA_R1_00156432 EFTA01807823 personnel will be deployed to secure the annual military parade at =he Parade Ground in the Sharkarparian parkland area, east of the =slamabad Highway. Security checkpoints will be established at all entry =nd exit points of the city; the underpass at Faizabad interchange will =e closed on the day. More <x-msg://7/#1057486> Europe & =15 Belarus: Urban centres: =nticipate, avoid further protests over controversial tax (Revised) =/a> <x-msg://7/#1057508> Members in urban centres should expect and =void further protests to demand that the government annul a tax on =hose not in full-time employment. Related protests were held on 15 =arch in the capital Minsk, Hrodna (Hrodna region) and Mogilev (Mogilev =egion), as well as on 12 March in Babruisk (Mogilev), Brest (Brest =egion), Orsha (Vitebsk region) and Rogachev (Gomel region). Although =resident Alexander Lukashenko announced on 9 March that the =ontroversial levy would be suspended for 2017, activists have =hreatened to hold further protests if the authorities do not take =ecisive steps by17 Marchto permanently cancel the so-called 'social =arasite' tax. More <x-msg://7/#1057508> Finland: Helsinki: =nticipate disruption, cancellations during aviation workers' strike on =7 March <x-msg://7/#1057499> Members planning to travel through the =apital's Helsinki Airport (HEL) on 17 March should reconfirm flight =chedules due to a planned strike by security and ground handling staff. =he strike is set to take place from 15.00.19.00 (local time), as =embers of the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) lobby for better benefits, =espite a general industrial agreement for the sector. Due to the =ndustrial action, national carrier Finnair announced the cancellation =f 90 flights on the day. Further related strikes are possible on 22-24 =arch. More <x-msg://7/#1057499> France: Grasse: Movement in =icinity of Alexis de Tocqueville high school can resume following =hooting incident (Revised) <x-msg://7/#1057327> Movement in the =icinity of the Alexis de Tocqueville high school (lycee) in Grasse =Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region) can resume after at least three =eople were injured in a shooting earlier on 16 March. The suspected =unman — a 17- year-old student at the school — is in =ustody, and the authorities have confirmed that the assailant acted =lone. The motive for the shooting is not yet clear, but the police said =hey have no reason to suspect the incident is terrorism- related. More <x-msg://7/#1057327> France:=Paris: Avoid protest on 19 March against alleged police brutality, =acism <x-msg://7/#10S7474> Members in the capital Paris on 19 =arch should avoid a planned rally from Place de la Nation to Place de =a Republique, to begin at 14.00 (local time). The demonstration, called =he 'March for Justice and Dignity', has been organised in =rotest at perceived police brutality, racism and abuse against =mmigrants. A large turnout and a visible police presence along the =rotest route can be expected as similar events in Paris have resulted =n unrest between participants and the police. More France: Paris: =void rally on 19 March over police conduct due to credible risk of =nrest (Revised) <x-msg://7/#1057279> 6 EFTA_R1_00156433 EFTA01807824 Members in the capital Paris =hould avoid a rally on 19 March over alleged police brutality due to a =redible risk of unrest. Participants will march at 14.00 (local time) =rom Place de la Nation to Place de la Republique. More Netherlands: =otterdam: Avoid vicinity of pro-Turkey rally on 17 March <x-msg://7/#1057502> Members in Rotterdam (South Holland province) on 17 March =hould avoid the vicinity of a pro-Turkey march as a precaution. The =vent, called by several Turkish groups over a diplomatic dispute =etween Turkey and the Netherlands, will commence at 17.00 (local time) =t the Rotterdam Central station and conclude at Schouwbourgplein at =9.00. Recent related protests in Rotterdam have resulted in clashes =etween demonstrators and the police, as well as an emergency order =mposed by the authorities overnight on 11-12 March. More Mid East & N Africa Bahrain: Karranah, Bilad =1-Qadeem: Avoid anti-government protests on 17 March Members in Karranah (Northern governorate) and Bilad =I-Qadeem (Capital governorate) on 17 March should avoid the vicinity of =wo planned anti-government demonstrations due to the credible risk of =ocalised unrest. The protest in Karranah will begin at 16.00 (local =ime), while the protest in Bilad al-Qadeem will begin at 20:00. More <x-msg://7/#1057504> Lebanon: Beirut: Avoid further protest on 18 March against =ax increases <x-msg://7/#1057496> Members in the capital Beirut =hould plan routes bypassing a protest on 18 March against recent tax =ncreases. The Lebanese Communist Party has called for a demonstration =rom 13.00 (local time) outside the National Bank of Lebanon in the =ity's Hamra area. A related gathering took place on 16 March at Riad al =olh Square in central Beirut amid tight security. While the rally =assed off without incident, all such gatherings should be avoided due =o the potential for unrest. More Lebanon: South =rovince: Reconfirm status of Coastal Highway due to potential for =urther roadblocks <x- msg://7/#1057271> Members planning to travel =etween Sidon and Tyre (both South province) via the Coastal Highway =also known as Sidon-Tyre Highway) in the coming days should reconfirm =ts status before setting out due to the potential for roadblocks by =ruck drivers. Protesting truckers blocked the highway from around 07.00 =0 19.00 (local time) on 15 March near the Zahrani bridge south of =idon. They have threatened further protests if the authorities do not =ccept their demands. More <x-msg://7/#1057271> Morocco: Main urban centres: =nrest possible in Western Sahara during trial of pro-Sahrawi =ctivists Members in main urban centres of =orocco's Western Sahara should monitor developments and exercise =aution due to the potential for unrest during the trial of 25 =ro-Sahrawi activists involved in protests held in 2010 in Gdeim Izik. =ollowing a suspension of proceedings, hearings resumed on 13 March in =ale (Rabat-Sal -Kenitra region), a suburb of the capital Rabat, where =rotesters have been demonstrating outside the courthouse. 7 EFTA_R1_00156434 EFTA01807825 More <x-msg://7/#1057292> Turkey:=Istanbul: Arrest of suspected militants, foiled plot highlight =ersistent risk to travellers from terrorism <x- msg://7/#1057325> The=security forces on 16 March arrested two suspected members of the =xtremist Islamic State (IS) group during a counter-terror operation in =agithane district of the commercial capital Istanbul (Istanbul =rovince). The suspects were reportedly planning an attack similar to =he 1 January attack on a nightclub in the city's Ortakoy area, in which =9 people - including 25 foreigners - were killed and 70 injured. While =he arrest highlights the effectiveness of the security forces in =ackling the terrorist threat, it also underlines the credible risk of =ttacks in the country. Members should minimise time spent near likely =ilitant targets, including government and security force personnel and =acilities. More <x-msg://7/#1057325> Turkey: Urban centres: Expect, =void gatherings during Nowruz festival on 17-21 March <x-msg://7/#1057503> Members in major urban centres, including the commercial =apital Istanbul (Istanbul province) and the capital Ankara, as well as =n the predominantly Kurdish south-east, should avoid all gatherings =inked to Nowruz (Persian New Year, or spring festival) on 17-21 March. =vents organised by the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and =he Democratic Regions Party (DBP) are due to take place in numerous =ities, including in Istanbul on 19 March. While gatherings organised by =urdish parties are liable to be banned, travellers should nonetheless =xpect informal or unauthorised events to take place during Nowruz, =hich is predominantly celebrated by the country's Kurdish =opulation. More <x-msg://7/#1057503> More detail Africa Cameroon: Douala: Exercise =aution in New Bell area following repeated clashes between =ouths Level: =otice Location: Douala = Cameroon; Category: Communal unrest Members in the commercial capital Douala (Littoral region) =hould exercise caution in the coming days in the vicinity of the Shell New Bell junction following an outbreak of violence =n 15 March by youths armed with sticks, bottles and machetes. The =iolence, which included attacks on passers-by, was triggered by the =illing of a suspected thief in an incident of mob justice earlier in =he week. Police intervened to re-establish order but caution should be =xercised in the area due to the risk of further retaliation, which =ould pose incidental risk to bystanders. Advice 8 EFTA_R1_00156435 EFTA01807826 • Exercise caution =n the area of Shell New Bell junction (see map). Avoid walking in all =reas after dark; journeys after dark should only be conducted in a =ocked vehicle. • Remain alert at all times and =inimise journeys on foot. • Monitor local media and =iaise with local contacts to remain abreast of volatile =atherings/demonstrations and avoid them due to the credible risk of =lashes. In the event of unrest, where possible to do so safely, return =o your accommodation or office and remain there until the situation =tabilises. • In the event of being targeted by =riminals, assume that they are armed and do nothing to resist or =ntagonise them. • Monitor our alerts on Cameroon for =urther updates. Top Rwanda: Western border =reas: Gun attack in Rusizi district reflects MEDIUM travel risk in =order region Level: Advisory Location: Western =rovince - Rwanda; Category: Shooting, Conflict Two Rwandan nationals early on 12 March were killed and mother injured in an attack by unidentified gunmen in the Bugarama area =f Rusizi district <https://goo.gl/maps/Fy94sphCM8u> (Western province), near the border with =urundi and Congo (DRC). The Rwandan authorities are attempting to =dentify the assailants, who reportedly fled to Burundi. The incident =erves as a reminder of the MEDIUM risks associated with travel to the =order with Burundi and Congo (DRC), where incursions by armed groups, =helling or stray gunfire can temporarily increase insecurity in =djacent areas of Rwanda. Advice • Seek =tinerary-specific advice before travelling to western areas bordering =ongo (DRC), where the security environment may be affected by the =ctivities of armed groups operating in that country. Members travelling =o the north-western border city of Gisenyi (Western province), in =articular, should be aware of developments in neighbouring areas of =ongo (DRC) prior to setting out. Remain vigilant and report any =uspicious activities to the authorities. • Border crossings with Congo (DRC) and Burundi may be =losed without notice, and that visa requirements may change with little =otice. Travellers to the Parc National des Volcans/Virunga National =ark (along the Congolese border) and Nyungwe Forest (near Burundi) must =eek a permit from the Rwanda Office of Tourism and National Parks =ORTPN); visitors should travel to these locations with locally licensed =our operators who liaise with park rangers and the security forces. =/li> • If conducting cross-border road travel, ascertain =he operating hours of the intended transit point before setting out. =arry relevant identification at all times for use at any spot checks. =/li> 9 EFTA_R1_00156436 EFTA01807827 • Register with your embassy and all relevant warden =etworks, and keep abreast of local developments through your local =ontacts. • Monitor our alerts on Rwanda for further =pdates. More detail According to the Rwandan =uthorities, two of the casualties, including the fatality, were =articipating in a local civilian patrol. While the Rwandan military =aid that the attackers subsequently crossed into Burundi, this has been =enied by their Burundian counterparts. Previously, two Burundian =ationals in September 2016 were fatally shot in the same area of Rusizi =istrict by Rwandan soldiers after they reportedly defied an order to =top; the two countries subsequently tightened security along the =rontier. Relationships between Rwanda and Burundi have =een strained since Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza in 2015 =nnounced he would run for a controversial third term. Rwanda has denied =laims by the Burundian government that it is arming and training =urundian rebels and sheltering people wanted by Burundi in connection =ith a failed coup there in May 2015. In this context, there is =otential for further skirmishes along the border. While such incidents =re unlikely to target foreign nationals, they can pose incidental =irks. Top <x-msg://7/#Top> Senegal: Dakar: Expect, =void further protests over mayor's arrest; related gatherings set for =7, 22 March Level: Notice Location: Dakar - =enegal; Category: Protest Members in the capital Dakar over the coming days should =nticipate and avoid all protests linked to the recent arrest of the =ity's mayor, Khalifa Sall, over alleged embezzlement of public funds. A =earing in the case is due to be held at the High Court from 09.00 =local time) on 17 March, and related =emonstrations are possible on the day outside the court building and =he Town Hall, as well as the Rebeuss prison, where the mayor is being =etained. An additional pro-Sall rally is scheduled from 16.00 (local =ime) on 22 March in the city's Guediawaye =uburb. Advice • Liaise with =ocal contacts to remain apprised of further protests. Avoid them to =itigate the risk of incidental exposure to any violence. • Leave an area at the first sign of unrest or if you see a =rowd forming. In the event of unrest, return to your accommodation =mmediately, where possible to do so safely, and remain there until the =ituation stabilises. • Monitor our alerts on Senegal =or further updates. 10 EFTA_R1_00156437 EFTA01807828 More detail A related protest on 10 =arch outside the Town Hall in Dakar was dispersed by the police with =ear gas, while at least three people were arrested. The forthcoming =atherings are likely to be well attended and there is potential for =ocalised disturbances. Particular caution should be exercised in the =apital's Grand-toff district, a stronghold of support for Sall, where =he mayor's arrest on 7 March triggered clashes between demonstrators =nd the security forces. Sall, who has been Dakar's =ayor since 2009, was seen as a potential candidate for the 2019 =residential election. His supporters claim that the arrest is =olitically motivated. Top <x-msg://7/#Top> South Africa: Gauteng =rovince: Movement in vicinity of Springs Mall in East Rand can resume =fter attempted armed robbery (Revised) level: Notice Location: Springs = South Africa; Category: Shooting, Violent crime Normal movement in the vicinity of Springs =all, in the East Rand area to the east of Johannesburg (Gauteng =rovince), can resume after shots were fired during an attempted armed =ash-in-transit robbery earlier on 16 March. According to local media =eports, two police officers and a bystander were injured during a =hoot-out near the mall's entrance; two suspects were later arrested. =he incident highlights the high levels of violent crime in the country =nd the need to adopt sensible precautions, even when in comparatively =ecure areas. Advice • Violent crime =ores a significant risk to travellers in South Africa. Familiarise =ourself with the crime risk areas of your destination prior to travel. =e aware that even comparatively secure areas, including shopping malls =nd transport hubs, are not immune to criminal activity. • Immediately report suspicious activity to the police or local =ecurity personnel. Police intervention could result in a shoot-out. If =n the immediate vicinity of gunshots, find the nearest secure location =nd remain there until the situation has stabilised. * Never resist an armed robbery; try to remain calm and =uiet and avoid any action that could antagonise the assailant. Keep =our hands visible - but not raised - as this may be interpreted by the =ttacker as an attempt to signal assistance. • Anticipate heightened security following a gun-related =ncident in a public area and follow all directives issued by the =uthorities. 11 EFTA_R1_00156438 EFTA01807829  Monitor our alerts on South Africa for =urther updates. More detail While the majority of such =ncidents occur in and around deprived urban areas where crime levels =re heightened and the travel risks are rated as HIGH, no area of the =ountry can be considered immune from crime. The threat is exacerbated =y the proliferation of firearms in the country. Top <x-msg://7/#Top> Americas Argentina: Urban centres: =void protests related to teachers' strike on 21.22 March =Revised) Level: =otice Location: Argentina; =/b> Category: Protest, Road =irruption Members in urban centres, including the capital Buenos Aires =nd provincial capitals, on 21-22 March =hould avoid demonstrations related to nationwide strikes by the CTERA =eachers' union over a number of issues in dispute with the government, =ncluding education funding and salaries. Members should avoid common =rotest locations in Buenos Aires city on both days, including the =ducation and labour ministries, Plaza de Mayo and the National Congress =see map). Advice • Liaise with =ocal contacts for information on demonstrations accompanying the strike =n your area. • Protests are likely to be well =ttended and largely pass off without incident. Nevertheless, plan =outes avoiding them as a routine precaution and to minimise travel =elays. • Allow additional time for journeys in the =ffected areas on strike days. • Do not cross any =oadblocks erected by protesters, as this may prompt a hostile =eaction. • Monitor our alerts on Argentina for =elated developments. 12 EFTA_R1_00156439 EFTA01807830 Top Brazil: Yellow fever =utbreak Level: =dvisory Location: Brazil; =br class=""> Category: Yellow fever The yellow fever outbreak in Brazil continues. Initially =ffecting Minas Gerais State, cases have now been confirmed in the =tates of Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Suspected cases =re also under investigation in the states of Bahia, Rio Grande do Norte =nd Tocantins. In addition, other areas of Brazil are considered at risk =or yellow fever. Travellers visiting any area at risk of yellow fever =hould be vaccinated at least ten days prior to arrival. In addition, =ome travellers to and from Brazil are =equired to show proof of vaccination to gain entry. Advice See your doctor well in advance 4 travel, and provide them with details of your intended destinations =nd route. Vaccination is both recommended and required for some =ravellers. The vaccination certificate becomes valid 10 days after the =accine was administered. Vaccination requirements may change at any =ime. Vaccination is: • Recommended =or everyone > 9 months of age who will visit any risk areas within =razil (see below for details). Travellers who have NOT been vaccinated =re advised NOT to travel to outbreak areas. • Required for travellers arriving from: =ngola, Democratic Republic of Congo (including people who have =ransited in these countries). Travellers arriving from the USA are NOT =equired to show proof of vaccination. • Required for some destinations after being in =razil, as it is a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. =ome places require proof of vaccination if you enter directly from a =isk country, others require proof if you arrive within 6 days of =eparture from a risk country (including having transited through a risk =ountry). Always check the relevant country guide prior to your trip. =roof of vaccination is NOT required to enter the USA. Risk areas for yellow fever (see the International SOS =ap) • All of the states of: Acre, Amapa, =mazonas, Distrito Federal (including the capital city of Brasilia), =spirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas =erais, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, Tocantins. • Some =real within the states of: Bahia, Parana, Piaui, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio =e Janeiro, Santa Catarina, and Sao Paulo state. • The =ities of Fortaleza, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo =urrently do NOT have a risk of yellow fever. Prevent mosquito bites: • Use an effective insect repellent that contains DEET, =icaridin, PMD or IR3535. Wear protective clothing (long pants and =leeves, socks) as weather permits. For More Information: 13 EFTA_R1_00156440 EFTA01807831 • US Centers for Disease Control And =revention Yellow Fever Vaccination =linics • See "yellow fever" in the "Diseases and =revention" dropdown and the Travel Advice Articles "Preventing Mosquito =ites" and "Using Insect Repellents Safely" on the International SOS =ountry Guide. • See the Brazilian Ministry of Health yellow fever information portal (in =ortuguese). • About Brazil: see the International SOS =ountry Guide. • Contact any International SOS =ssistance centre. More detail Health officials have =eclared a public health emergency over a yellow fever outbreak. Over =70 cases have been confirmed, however around 1,500 suspected cases, and =t least 240 deaths, have been reported. More cases are expected, and =urther geographic expansion may occur, due to people moving between =tates, yellow fever infection in monkeys and low vaccination coverage. =he confirmed cases were identified in Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, Rio =e Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Minas Gerais remains the state with the =ighest activity. The affected area in Rio de Janeiro state appears to be expanding with rural municipalities =Casimiro de Abreu) reporting cases for the first time. Bahia, Goias, Rio Grande do Norte and Tocantins have =uspected cases under investigation. Areas of Bahia, Goias and Tocantins =re known risk areas for yellow fever transmission, however to date Rio =rande do Norte has not been considered a state with risk of yellow =ever transmission. Health authorities have increased =istribution of yellow fever vaccine and implemented vector control =ctivities in response to the outbreak. What is Yellow =ever? Yellow fever is a viral disease that occurs in =arts of Africa and South America. It is transmitted by mosquitoes. =lthough some people infected with yellow fever only have a mild =llness, others develop a serious toxic form of the disease. The =ymptoms range from a mild influenza-like syndrome to a severe =emorrhagic fever with liver failure. There is no specific treatment for =he disease. Between 20%-50% of people who have a severe case of yellow =ever die from the disease. Because yellow fever can spread easily, many =ountries require proof of an up-to-date yellow fever vaccination before =hey allow travellers to enter the nation. Some require all travellers =o be vaccinated before entry, while others only require vaccination if =ou have recently travelled from an infected (or endemic) country. Yellow Fever Vaccination Vaccination is only available through designated yellow fever =accination clinics. They will issue a signed and stamped International =ertificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) which becomes valid 10 =ays after the vaccination, and is valid for the lifetime of the person =accinated. Booster doses are sometimes recommended after 10 years, and your doctor =ill make an individual recommendation based on your =ircumstances. Assessment Authorities are concerned =hat the outbreak will grow, given the favourable factors for ongoing =ransmission of yellow fever. The recommendations and requirements for =accination may change as more cases occur and new areas are affected. =n March 2017, the World Health Organization updated its risk assessment =or Espirito Santo and now recommends vaccination before travel to =nywhere in that state. 14 EFTA_R1_00156441 EFTA01807832 Advice for managers If relevant to your =mployees or travellers, ensure they are aware of: • Regional health threats including yellow =ever. • Vaccination requirements. * Bite prevention measures including insect repellent and bed =ets. • What to do if they get sick during and after =ravel. Top Canada: Ontario, Quebec =rovinces: Reconfirm travel arrangements, continue to expect disruption =ssociated with winter storm Stella Level: Advisory Location: Ontario, =uebec - Canada; Category: Snowstorm Members travelling to southern parts of Ontario and Quebec =rovinces on 16 March should continue to =aintain flexible itineraries and anticipate further travel disruption =ssociated with winter storm Stella. Further snowfall is forecast to =ffect major cities, including the capital Ottawa, Toronto (both Ontario =rovince), Montreal and Quebec City (both Quebec province) on 16 March. =ccording to the authorities, many flights were delayed or cancelled at =oronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ, Ontario) and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau =nternational Airport ( YUL chttp://www.admticomien> =uebec) on 14-15 March. Members should reconfirm travel arrangements =efore setting out, to minimise inconvenience. Advice • Members =cheduled to travel to and from affected areas on 16 March should =onitor local media sources and Environment Canada's website for up-to-date weather information, and be =repared to adjust travel itineraries accordingly. • We do not hold information on specific =lights. Contact the relevant airport, airline or your travel =gent directly to reconfirm flight schedules before setting out. =li class="">Liaise with local contacts to ascertain whether overland =ourneys are feasible before undertaking travel. Ensure your vehicle is =n good condition and appropriately equipped for the weather. • Exercise caution when driving because of the dangerous =onditions caused by snow and ice. • Road journeys may =ake longer than usual during and after prolonged spells of snowfall or = ue to sleet; allow additional time to reach destinations. • Monitor our alerts on Canada for further updates. 15 EFTA_R1_00156442 EFTA01807833 Top El Salvador: San =alvador: Fatal shootout near city centre highlights persistent crime =isks level: =otice Location: San Salvador =/b> - El Salvador; Category: Violent crime, Crime =tatistics At least six people were killed on 15 March in a shootout =etween gang members and private security guards in the Mercado Central area in the centre of the capital San =alvador. The authorities subsequently launched a security operation and =rrested five suspects. The violence erupted when gang members opened =ire on a security guard and fatally shot three nearby street vendors, =riggering the gunfight. Most shops and businesses in the area =ubsequently closed due to the unrest. The incident highlights the HIGH =ravel risk rating for the country, particularly the capital where, =rincipally due to gang violence, travel should only be undertaken for =ssential business purposes. Advice • Travel to El =alvador should be for essential business purposes only. Seek =tinerary-specific advice prior to travel due to the significant risk of =xposure to violent crime. • Rates of violent crime =re high; take stringent security precautions to mitigate the risk at =11 times and in all areas. Avoid known trouble spots. • In the event of being accosted by a criminal, assume that =our assailant is armed; do nothing to resist or antagonise them, as =his could elicit a violent response. • Follow =irectives issued by the authorities and the security forces. • Road travel should be taken during daylight hours only. Do =ot undertake movement on foot. • Monitor our alerts on El Salvador for related =evelopments. More detail The incident serves as a =eminder that crime is a serious concern in San Salvador, a city with =ne of the world's highest homicide rates. Opportunistic and violent =rime poses a major security threat to travellers, who may be targeted =ue to their perceived wealth, though local nationals remain the primary =argets. However, most violent crime occurs in impoverished =eighbourhoods dominated by 'maras' (youth street gangs) where =oreigners travelling on legitimate business purposes unlikely to =enture. Transnational criminal gangs continue to =emain the primary source of violence in the country. These heavily =rmed groups are largely concentrated in urban centres, especially San =alvador, and engage in drug-trafficking, kidnapping, carjacking and =xtortion, among other activities, to raise revenue. The latest =ncident, which may have stemmed from 16 EFTA_R1_00156443 EFTA01807834 an extortion attempt targeting =endors, occurred in a busy market area; violence in the historic =owntown of San Salvador is typically attributed to Mara Salvatrucha =M513) or the Barrio 18, two gangs active in the area. Clashes between rival gangs and the security forces are not =ncommon; further such violence remains possible, with the use of =irearms in these confrontations posing notable incidental risks to =ystanders. Assessment The recent violence comes =fter the authorities on 10 February announced that 327 homicides =ccurred during the first 40 days of 2017, compared to 936 recorded =tiring the same period in 2016. The approximate 65% decrease in murders =as attributed to the government's extraordinary security measures which =ere implemented last year and aimed at combating criminal gangs; the regislative assembly on 9 February extended the set of measures until =pril 2018. Despite the development, El Salvador still =aintains one of the highest homicide rates of any country in the world; =aces of overall violence will remain high overall due to the likely =erpetuation of underlying causes including lack of economic =pportunities, weak government institutions and the organisational =nertia of criminal groups. Top <x-msg://7/#Top> Mexico: Urban centres: =void protests related to national strike on 17-18 March by teachers' =nion Level: =otice Location: Mexico; =br class=""> Category: Protest, Strike Event Date: 17 Mar 2017. 18 Mar =017 Members in urban centres around Mexico on 17-18 March shoul