International Travel Alert for September 29th, 2022

EUROPE

Russia / Ukraine (Security threat levels - 5 / 5): On 28 September 2022, a Kremlin spokesperson announced President Vladimir Putin’s intentions to host an annexation ceremony at the Kremlin's St. George’s Hall in Moscow with the Russia-backed separatist leaders of the southern and eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia, following staged statehood referendums. According to Russian officials, Russia’s proxy leaders of the aforementioned regions will sign treaties affirming their desire for Russian statehood during the ceremony. Preliminary results for the Russian-supported referendums suggest that at least 87% of citizens in all four Ukrainian regions support joining the Russian Federation. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denounced the referendums as illegitimate. Western leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, have strongly condemned Russia’s move to annex the occupied Ukrainian territories.

NORTH AMERICA

United States (Security threat level - 2): On the afternoon of 28 September 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall as a major Category 4 storm near Cayo Costa State Park, located along the southwestern coast of Florida, and has since weakened into a tropical storm. As of 0800 local time (1200 UTC) on 29 September, Ian was located approximately 40 mi (70 km) east of the city of Orlando and was moving in a northeasterly direction at a speed of 8 mph (13 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. At the point, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, with higher gusts. On its current forecast track, Ian will pass off the coast of east-central Florida later in the day before approaching the coastal areas of South Carolina on 30 September. Ian is then expected to move farther inland across South and North Carolina through 1 October.

Heavy rainfall caused significant flooding across western Florida, causing extensive damage and widespread power outages. More than 2.5 million homes and businesses in the state are currently without electricity. Most airports in the region, including Orlando International Airport (KMCO/MCO) and Jacksonville International Airport (KJAX/JAX), remain closed for the day. U.S. President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Florida to support local officials in recovery efforts. Thus far, at least one storm-related fatality has been confirmed.

The storm is expected to produce 4-8 in (100-200 mm) of rain, with isolated maximums of up to 12 inches, in northeastern Florida, coastal areas of Georgia and the southernmost areas of South Carolina. Additionally, 3-6 inches of rain, with isolated maximums of 8 inches, is in the forecast for upper and central South Carolina, North Carolina and southern Virginia. Tornadoes remain a possibility in east-central and northeastern Florida through the morning of 29 September and in coastal areas of South and North Carolina on 30 September. A Storm Surge Warning is currently in effect from the Flagier-Volusia County border to the entrance of the South Santee River and for the St. Johns River. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for areas north of Bonita Beach to Indian Pass, from Jupiter Inlet to North Carolina’s Cape Lookout and for Lake Okeechobee. A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for areas north of the South Santee River to Little River Inlet, while a Hurricane Watch is in effect from the Flagier-Volusia County border to the South Santee River.

GOVERNMENT TRAVEL WARNINGS

Bangladesh (Security threat level - 4): On 29 September 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows: Durga Puja, the five-day Hindu festival, will take place October 1-5, 2022. Thousands of participants will gather at temples throughout the country in celebration.”

The full text of the alert is available here. 

Information provided by United Healthcare Global on September 29th, 2022