Europe
- Spain: Health Advisory | Expect disruptions to healthcare services in Spain due to a nationwide strike from December 9-12. Members of multiple healthcare unions such as the Confederation of Medical Unions of Spain (CESM) and the Andalusian Medical Union (SMA) have organized the four day walkout to protest against a new labor statute proposed by the Ministry of Health. All regions and major hospitals are expected to be affected. Emergency services will still be available. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to reconfirm medical appointments and prepare for long delays/cancellations if they cannot reschedule.
- Portugal: Travel Advisory | A general strike on December 11 will cause massive delays and cancellations to flights, metro services, and railways in Portugal. The strike was called by the UGT and CGTP, representing over 560,000 workers, to protest a proposed draft of labor codes. Minimal flights will operate affecting both domestic and international air travel. Metro and rail services are expected experience delays and limited availability. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to reconfirm their transportation. They should also seek to rebook if necessary ahead of time, due to the increased demand surrounding the strike.
- Bulgaria: Protest Advisory | Mass protests are likely to take place across Bulgarian cities again on December 10. Demonstrations against government corruption and demanding the resignation of current representatives attracted tens of thousands of protesters across Bulgarian towns on December 1, with the largest site being at Independence Square in Sofia. Previous protests passed relatively peacefully. Any further protests are likely to cause massive disruptions to business and travel in downtown areas, and bring and increased security presence. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid all protests. They are also advised to monitor local media for further updates.
Americas
- Peru: Security Advisory | A state of emergency has been declared for new provinces that will last through the end of January. The affected regions include Amazonas, Cajamarca, Madre de Dios, Piura, Puno and Ucayali. Anti-trafficking and strengthening the state’s security were the motivations cited by authorities as the reason for declaring the state of emergency in these border areas. The state of emergency will limit freedom of movement as well as freedom of assembly. This announcement comes on top of previous states of emergency have been extended such as around the capital. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid non-essential travel to these areas and to monitor local media for updates.
- Argentina: Protest Advisory | A union representing public sector workers will strike on December 9 disrupting services across Argentina. The Association of State Workers (ATE), representing around 370,000 workers, has called for a strike to protest a proposed 10% public workforce job cut and to reject a proposed labor reform. An associated march is also expected to draw a large number of participants to demonstrate at the Plaza del Congreso in Buenos Aires. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid all protests and to monitor local media for updates.
- Honduras: Protest Advisory | Large scale protests are possible this week stemming from discontent over recent presidential elections. Voters headed to the polls on November 30, but delays in reporting have led to tensions rising over the close race. Allegations of blatant fraud are already being thrown around. Mass protests were put down violently in 2017 following discontent over voting irregularities. Votes from this year’s election are still being counted with no clear winner yet. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to maintain awareness in public and to monitor local media for updates.
Asia & Pacific
- Philippines: Travel Advisory | A transportation strike will cause travel disruptions across the Philippines from December 9-11. A union of transportation workers called Manibela, representing around 50,000 workers, has called the strike to protest alleged unfair practices by the government’s transportation authorities. The strike is anticipated to limit transportation alternatives and put additional strain on public transportation systems. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to expect heightened demand for public transportation and to build in extra time for travel.
- South Korea: Travel Advisory | A rail strike will disrupt train services across South Korea on December 11. Members of the KORAIL union demand wage negotiations and the establishment of further safety measures surrounding the integration of high-speed rail. Seoul metro workers, who are currently conducting a work-to-rule strike, notably also plan to cancel services on December 12. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to reconfirm transportation schedules and to monitor local media for updates.
- India: Travel Advisory | Expect residual delays to flights over the coming days following major disruptions over the weekend. A new government mandated set of rules around pilot flight time limitations went into effect this last week, catching major flight provider IndiGo unprepared. Massive delays across all major airports followed affecting more airlines than just IndiGo. Delays at many locations are still significant. SafeAbroad travelers are avised to reconfirm booking and to build in extra time for travel plans.
Africa & Middle East
- Benin: Security Advisory | Travelers should defer non-essential travel to Benin until December 12 following a coup attempt on December 7. Members of Benin’s military attacked the president’s residence and took control of the national state broadcaster to announce that they had taken over. The plot quickly ended and the sporadic fighting ended in the early hours of this morning. The public was advised to shelter in place. No civilians appear to have been harmed at this moment. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to defer non-essential travel and to monitor local media for updates.
- Tanzania: Protest Advisory | A nationwide protest will take place on December 9 across Tanzania and will likely be put down violently. The U.S. embassy issued the alert about the upcoming protest that will once again demand for accountability and political reform. Previous protests surrounding this October’s elections left hundreds dead according to UN sources, with police authorities warning any new protests would be deemed as “unlawful.” Travelers are advised to avoid all protests and to avoid interacting with protesters.
- Togo: Protest Advisory | A large scale protest will take place in Lomé, Togo on December 8 and potentially will be broken up violently. Youth collective “M-66” organized the rally to protest changes to the constitution that took place earlier this year. Previous protests in June left 14 dead and hundreds injured when police broke them up violently. Today’s protests take place ahead of the 9th Pan-African Congressional meeting. SafeAbroad travelers are advised to avoid all protests. They are also advised to maintain increased awareness when in public.
