Mongolia: Government extends school closures until March 30 due to coronavirus /update 2

Event

Government officials announced on Wednesday, February 19, that schools including kindergartens and universities, will remain closed until at least Monday, March 30, due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The Mongolian government announced on Friday, January 31, that it will close Mongolia's borders to all Chinese citizens and foreigners traveling from China from Saturday, February 1, through Monday, March 2. The travel restriction will apply to individuals traveling via air, rail, and road. Mongolians will also be prohibited from traveling to China from February 1 through March 2. After February 6, Mongolians in China will only be allowed to return via Ulaanbaatar's Chinggis Khaan International airport (ULN) or the Zamiin Uud rail border. As of Tuesday, February 18, 336 Mongolian citizens remain in China seeking to return home.

Borders with China have been closed to foot and vehicle traffic since Monday, January 27. Public events including conferences, sports, and entertainment events have been prohibited. Public places such as gaming centers have been shut until further notice.

As of Wednesday, February 19, no COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Mongolia.

Further international spread of the COVID-19 virus is to be expected over the coming days and weeks.

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). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in 29 countries and territories worldwide. Virus screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is a "very grave threat."

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide the following measures:  

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water  
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue - throw tissue away immediately and wash hands  
• If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider  
• Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments

In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China who develop symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid potential spread of the disease.