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UPDATE: Tunisia to reopen economy in stages…
The lockdown will begin to be eased on May 4. Further easing after May 11 will include clothing shops and malls
Key Article INSIGHT: The lockdown will begin to be eased on May 4. Further easing after May 11 will include clothing shops and malls, said Lobna Jribi, the minister in charge of major projects.
Tentative Stages:
Stage 1 – May 4th- “Essential Workers + Supporting elements”
What you need to know: On May 4th, a gradual lifting of the confinement measures will take place. The confinement measures will vary slightly from region to region and includes essential workers and workers in supporting ministries & industries.
Stage 2- May 11th “General Public” Re-open
This stage will include the general public including clothing shops, coffee shops and open markets.
Important to NOTE: The Tunisian government will provide further detail about the new measures before May 4th.
Security INSIGHT: The lockdown, according to Health Minister Abdelatif el-Makki has stopped 25,000 cases of the virus and 1,000 deaths. Tunisia, has about 500 intensive care beds, has confirmed fewer than 1,000 cases in all.
Travel: At the time of this writing both the U.S. and UK embassies advises against all but essential international travel.
Operating in Tunisia?
Find out how you can have access to reliable security information & support.
Your #1 Source for Travel & Security News IMPACTING Tunisia.
VIDEO UPDATE
Travel UPDATE:
Ahead of boarding their Emirates flight from Dubai to Tunisia on April 15th, masked passengers were given blood tests for Covid-19, with results delivered within 10 minutes. Emirates, which claims to be the first airline to perform these tests.
Key INSIGHT: Other airlines are considering different approaches: Earlier this month, Etihad, also based in the United Arab Emirates, announced that it was currently testing new kiosks in Abu Dhabi.
Security INSIGHT: The outbreak is hitting Tunisia’s tourism sector, which represents nearly 10% of gross domestic product (GDP) and is a key source of foreign currency, particularly hard.
Travel Guidelines: At the time of this writing both the U.S. and UK embassies advises against all but essential international travel.
Operating in Tunisia?
Find out how you can have access to reliable security information & support.
The coronavirus pandemic has devastatedTunisia’s tourism industry, with the vital sector expected to see 400,000 people lose their jobs this year and $1.4bn in lost revenue.
Like many countries across the globe, Tunisia has been under lockdown for weeks, with most residents only leaving their homes for exercise, grocery shopping and pharmacy runs.
Economic Challenges Ahead…
But as the second-biggest contributor to the country’s economy after agriculture, the tourism industry has almost completely shut down. Restaurants have closed, as have hotels and land borders, and international flights have been banned.
Tourist arrivals fell from over 7 million in 2010 to 5 million by 2015. But the number of visitors rose to 8.3 million in 2018, a 17 percent increase from 2017
Tourist arrivals fell from over 7 million in 2010 to 5 million by 2015. But the number of visitors rose to 8.3 million in 2018, a 17 percent increase from 2017
Now, under the pandemic, that number is expected to plummet.
Tunisia has recorded a total of 747 cases of the virus and 34 coronavirus-related deaths. So far, 43 people have recovered from the infection.
Tunisia’s number of cases falls well below neighbouring Algeria, which has reported 2,160 cases and 336 deaths, highlighting the need to ban tourism in order to slow the spread, as tourists from Algeria, Russia and the EU make up a large portion of the country’s yearly visitors.
Security Bottom Line
In a report released on Wednesday, the IMF said in general, economies across the Middle East and North Africa are expected to shrink by 3.3 percent during 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic could not have come at a worse time for Tunisia. Having just completed a complicated election cycle, the country was looking forward to a much needed successful tourism season.
At the time of this writing both the U.S. and UK embassies advises against all but essential international travel.
Security Support
If you’re operating in Tunisiafind out how you can have access to reliable security information & support.
Let’s give credit where credit is due. We have seen some notable security improvements since the technocratic government headed by Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa took office early this year. The recent successful event in Djerba is a good example of the government’s commitment to security.
Even with all the positive news that we’ve seen lately regarding the security situation in Tunisia; things are still hard to read. While security has improved at the border and tourists areas; crime is picking up in local neighborhoods.
During the middle of the night on Thursday (May 22nd/23rd) I received a phone call related to an expat needing security assistance. Located near the Laouina Monoprix, the expat lives in a 2-story home with his family.
Aouina Neighborhood (Not the best neighborhood but certainly not the “wrong side” of town.)
According to the expat, he was awaken in the middle of the night (approx. 1:30am) by his youngest son who was complaining about his arm itching. While retrieving a cream he realized that a window was open.
The open window was enough to make the dad realize that something was wrong. As he made his way downstairs, he noticed the front door was open and the criminals took off with his vehicle (keys were left near the door).
In addition to the car they mostly stole electronic items to include a laptop, storing devices, and stereo speakers.
Obviously, the family was very shaken by the incident.
Who did it?
It’s important to note how the crime was committed before pointing to who might have done it. The criminals came during the late hours of the night. They brought their own tools (ladder in the picture below) and obviously had prior knowledge about the setup of the house.
Who?
Well here’s what we know:
Family recently had (2) “reputable” companies conduct surveys at the home in preparation for their move. If you remember the last incident that I shared which took place in La Marsa also had a company conduct a shipping survey. Important to point out that it was not the same company in both cases.
The guard was not feeling well and left his post at about 10pm. The guard was also notably absent in the La Marsa incident.
So just to recap, we’ve had (2) home invasions in the last 3 weeks. Here’s what they both had in common:
They were both Expats
They just recently had a shipping survey
The guard was absent on the day of the incident
Police Reaction
Night patrols are minimal and ineffective at best. Local hired “street guards” are easily compromised and lack the awareness to respond. Alarms and iron works help but ensuring that only people you trust access your home is very important.
Police search for finger prints…
On a positive side, the police was able to find the stolen vehicle in less than 24hours. The family remains shaken but they will leave Tunis this summer for good.
This is certainly an exceptional case and home invasions are still by no means “normal” in Tunisia. However, the last 2 cases have certainly made us rethink our residential security setup.
Now is a great time for every expat to review their residential as well as their personal security setup. Remember that the key is to have a good balance between practical & effective.
Let’s keep sharing information and if you would like more information on this case or how you can make your home more secure here in Tunis please feel free to email us at:
Let’s give credit where credit is due. We have seen some notable security improvements since the technocratic government headed by Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa took office early this year. The recent successful event in Djerba is a good example of the government’s commitment to security.
Even with all the positive news that we’ve seen lately regarding the security situation in Tunisia; things are still hard to read. While security has improved at the border and tourists areas; crime is picking up in local neighborhoods.
During the middle of the night on Thursday (May 22nd/23rd) I received a phone call related to an expat needing security assistance. Located near the Laouina Monoprix, the expat lives in a 2-story home with his family.
Aouina Neighborhood (Not the best neighborhood but certainly not the “wrong side” of town.)
According to the expat, he was awaken in the middle of the night (approx. 1:30am) by his youngest son who was complaining about his arm itching. While retrieving a cream he realized that a window was open.
The open window was enough to make the dad realize that something was wrong. As he made his way downstairs, he noticed the front door was open and the criminals took off with his vehicle (keys were left near the door).
In addition to the car they mostly stole electronic items to include a laptop, storing devices, and stereo speakers.
Obviously, the family was very shaken by the incident.
Who did it?
It’s important to note how the crime was committed before pointing to who might have done it. The criminals came during the late hours of the night. They brought their own tools (ladder in the picture below) and obviously had prior knowledge about the setup of the house.
Who?
Well here’s what we know:
Family recently had (2) “reputable” companies conduct surveys at the home in preparation for their move. If you remember the last incident that I shared which took place in La Marsa also had a company conduct a shipping survey. Important to point out that it was not the same company in both cases.
The guard was not feeling well and left his post at about 10pm. The guard was also notably absent in the La Marsa incident.
So just to recap, we’ve had (2) home invasions in the last 3 weeks. Here’s what they both had in common:
They were both Expats
They just recently had a shipping survey
The guard was absent on the day of the incident
Police Reaction
Night patrols are minimal and ineffective at best. Local hired “street guards” are easily compromised and lack the awareness to respond. Alarms and iron works help but ensuring that only people you trust access your home is very important.
Police search for finger prints…
On a positive side, the police was able to find the stolen vehicle in less than 24hours. The family remains shaken but they will leave Tunis this summer for good.
This is certainly an exceptional case and home invasions are still by no means “normal” in Tunisia. However, the last 2 cases have certainly made us rethink our residential security setup.
Now is a great time for every expat to review their residential as well as their personal security setup. Remember that the key is to have a good balance between practical & effective.
Let’s keep sharing information and if you would like more information on this case or how you can make your home more secure here in Tunis please feel free to email us at:
Brief: T(Reuters) – Tunisia’s next presidential and parliamentary elections will probably be held in the second half of November, the election agency chief said on Saturday, about polls that will mark the country’s final step towards full democracy.Read More
UPDATE: Tunisia to reopen economy in stages…
Key Article INSIGHT: The lockdown will begin to be eased on May 4. Further easing after May 11 will include clothing shops and malls, said Lobna Jribi, the minister in charge of major projects.
This stage will include the general public including clothing shops, coffee shops and open markets.
Security INSIGHT: The lockdown, according to Health Minister Abdelatif el-Makki has stopped 25,000 cases of the virus and 1,000 deaths. Tunisia, has about 500 intensive care beds, has confirmed fewer than 1,000 cases in all.
Travel: At the time of this writing both the U.S. and UK embassies advises against all but essential international travel.
The COVID-19 pandemic could not have come at a worse time for Tunisia. Having just completed a complicated election cycle, the country was looking forward to a much needed successful tourism season.
Tunisia Security Update 