Mongolia: COVID-19-related measures remain in effect as of Nov. 16 /update 31

Event

Officials in Mongolia are maintaining nationwide COVID-19-related restrictions under an orange alert level as of Nov. 16. Transport services and most nonessential businesses are allowed to operate, though capacity and operating hour limits affect some venues like restaurants and clubs. Sports and cultural venues may also function at 50 percent capacity for fully vaccinated people. However, indoor sports and entertainment facilities are only open to those who have received a booster shot in addition to an approved inoculation regime. Long-distance transport services and most nonessential establishments require quick response (QR) code health certificates certifying vaccination status or negative results of a COVID-19 test for entry. In-person educational classes and unauthorized large gatherings remain suspended.

Fully vaccinated travelers may travel between Ulaanbaatar and other provinces; however, those traveling from a province with COVID-19 cases, as well as unvaccinated individuals on interprovincial trips must present negative results of a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure. Checkpoints are in place to ensure compliance with the transport controls.

Authorities may continue to impose highly localized lockdowns in residential buildings and businesses that have reported COVID-19 exposure in the capital. Residents, employees, and patrons in these locations must undergo COVID-19 testing and quarantine until negative test results are received. Authorities will require close contacts of COVID-19 cases and their household members to quarantine for seven days, followed by a seven-day self-quarantine. Officials will require suspected cases stemming from an outbreak site to quarantine for at least seven days.

Travel Restrictions
Some chartered flights are operational for Mongolian nationals, permanent residents, some long-term visa holders, and other permitted arrivals. Officials may allow foreign nationals to apply for entry visas if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Alternatively, foreign passengers may apply for an entry visa if they provide evidence of having recovered from COVID-19 in the last four months or will undergo a seven-day quarantine at a government-designated facility and take an RT-PCR test on the sixth day of quarantine. International passenger flights remain restricted; authorities have authorized 65 round-trip international flights through December. Destinations include Almaty, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Nursultan, Seoul, and Tokyo.

The government has reopened most border checkpoints for international cargo transport. However, international passenger ground transport may be subject to restrictions. Arrivals from abroad must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before the beginning of their travel. International arrivals are required to quarantine in government-run facilities at their own expense for at least seven days.

Individuals with recent travel history in countries with significant COVID-19 variant activity must quarantine for 14 days. Arrivals who have evidence of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may be exempted from institutional quarantine requirements.

Advice

Consider postponing travel to Mongolia if affected by travel restrictions. Register with your diplomatic mission if attempting to depart Mongolia. Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Confirm all domestic transport arrangements. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Plan for potential shipping disruptions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Resources

Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport