Mongolia: Authorities extend state of emergency to December 31 /update 15

Event

On Monday, October 26, the Mongolia's State Emergency Commission (SEC) extended the national heightened state of readiness until December 31, amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The country entered the state of emergency in mid-February with measures imposed in efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

Under the extension, travel and movement restrictions imposed for all travelers, including Mongolian nationals, will remain in place. Authorities began gradually closing the country's borders to all travelers, including Mongolian citizens and nationals, in early February. Incoming air traffic remains limited to government-controlled chartered flights. All those arriving on these flights, or through border crossing checkpoints in officially authorized groups, are required to undergo a 21-day mandatory isolation at a government-designated facility. Foreign nationals remain banned from entering the country and international commercial flights and rail passenger transport remain suspended.

Authorities lifted stay at home orders on October 13 and resumed domestic travel and business operations. Face masks remain mandatory in public places throughout the country and fines may be issued for those not wearing them in public. Restrictions on public gatherings, events, and meetings also remain in place.

As of October 26, there have been 339 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mongolia. The country is yet to register any local transmissions of the virus nor associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on the skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.