Ukraine: Authorities tightening COVID-19 entry restrictions for unvaccinated travelers, starting Aug. 5 /update 34

Ukraine tightening COVID-19 entry measures for unvaccinated travelers from Aug. 5. Other entry and some domestic restrictions remain.

Event

Authorities in Ukraine will tighten international entry restrictions in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 variant strains. Effective Aug. 5, all nonresident foreign nationals must have health insurance that covers treatment of COVID-19. Furthermore, nonresident foreign nationals must present a certificate showing completion of a full course of a WHO-recognized vaccine, or proof of a negative PCR or rapid antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. All unvaccinated travelers must undergo up to 10 days of self-isolation, which can be ended early by passing a second COVID-19 test.

All travelers arriving from Russia and India, as well as all travelers who have spent at least seven days out of the previous 14 in either of these two countries, must undergo self-isolation for at least 14 days. There are no provisions under which such travelers may end their quarantine period early. An earlier introduced requirement that all persons arriving from India, Portugal, Russia, or the UK, or who have spent seven or more days over the previous 14 days in one of these countries, be tested for COVID upon arrival in Ukraine remains in force.

All unvaccinated persons entering Ukraine are required to download and install the "Vdoma" (Home) COVID-19 mobile application, which authorities use to monitor self-isolation.

Domestic Restrictions
The entire country is currently at the green (lowest risk) level on Ukraine's four-tiered, color-coded system for tracking disease activity. Under this system, each region is classified as being at either the green, yellow, orange, or red level in order of increasing transmission risk as determined by the volume of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, local morbidity rates, and the capacity of local hospitals. Jurisdictions designated as green zones are subject to no nationwide restrictions, with the exception of mandates that facemasks be worn in certain settings.

Citizens and legal residents of Ukraine are able to enter the country without restrictions from any location abroad for as long as the nationwide green level designation remains in place. The Ministry of Health in Kyiv has advised, however, that Ukraine could return to the yellow level or a higher risk tier with little-to-no notice should case numbers rise beyond certain established thresholds. Effective Aug. 5, should Ukraine's epidemiological situation worsen, unvaccinated permanent residents and citizens of Ukraine will be provided to undergo up to 10 days of self-isolation or pass a COVID-19 test upon entry.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.