Mongolia: Officials to ease COVID-19 restrictions in Ulaanbaatar and Arkhangai and Selenge provinces from Dec. 14 /update 13

Event

Mongolia has extended enhanced coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in Ulaanbaatar and Selenge and Arkhangai provinces until early Dec. 14. Most nonessential businesses will remain closed, though grocery stores, fuel stations, pharmacies, utilities, and other critical companies can continue to operate. Residents are encouraged to stay at home except to obtain essential goods and services or attend work. Authorities have requested that companies allow employees to work from home if possible. In Ulaanbaatar, the government has ordered its agencies and private companies to allow female employees or single fathers with children under 12 years old to work from home or provide paid leave. All schools in the capital are also closed. Authorities have banned unapproved travel to and from the capital, except for food transport. The tighter measures will continue in Battsengel, Arkhangai Province, and the Altanbulag and Sukhbaatar areas of Selenge Province until at least early Dec. 21.

Officials will begin easing restrictions in the capital and most parts of Arkhangai and Selenge province from 0600 Dec. 14. The government will permit nonessential businesses, such as restaurants, cafes, markets, essential retail, hotels, and personal and repair services, to operate 0700-2100 daily. However, authorities continue to prohibit so-called high-risk companies, such as fitness centers, saunas, and bars, among others. Mass events, cultural activities, and religious services remain suspended. Intercity transport from Ulaanbaatar will also resume without advance permission.

Authorities reduced restrictions in other areas of the country Dec. 1, allowing interprovincial traffic to resume for most locations. Government work has restarted, though hours remain limited to 1000-1400 for most employees; government workers in citizen services will return to work full time. Officials will allow residents who entered the country through Ulaanbaatar to return to their home provinces. However, authorities are arranging transport, and returning residents are subject to a second 14-day self-quarantine period.

The government continues to require all people to wear facemasks in public, and demonstrations remain banned nationwide. Although officials are removing some roadblocks and checkpoints on main interprovincial roads, checkpoints may continue on main routes to the capital and other areas under heightened restrictions. Officials are allowing some domestic flights to resume, though airlines will probably fly only specific routes. Some domestic airlines will also require a negative COVID-19 test result before allowing passengers to board flights.

The government has closed the Altanbulag border crossing with Russia through Jan. 18. The Artssuuri, Ereentsav, Hankh, Tes, and Ulkhan border crossings are closed through at least the end of 2020. Authorities plan to close the Borshoo port Nov. 23-April 21. The Tsagaannuur border crossing will operate the second and fourth week each month until further notice. Authorities continue to ban international commercial flights and have halted charter and repatriation flights indefinitely. International rail passenger transport remains suspended.

Travel Restrictions
An entry ban on most foreigners remains in place; only Mongolian nationals and permanent residents can enter the country. Officials have reduced the required quarantine period at government facilities to 14 days, but passengers remain responsible for the expenses. Arrivals must also undergo an additional 14 days of self-quarantine.

Advice

Postpone 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. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Plan for potential shipping disruptions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

Chinggis Khaan International Airport