30 Nov 2021 | 09:59 AM UTC
Mongolia: Officials banning entry of foreign nonresidents from multiple African countries as of Nov. 30 due to concerns over new COVID-19 variant /update 32
Mongolia is banning entry for most foreign nationals from some African nations as of Nov. 30. Other COVID-19 measures continue.
Event
Mongolia has tightened travel rules over concerns over the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Authorities are indefinitely banning entry for foreign nonresidents with a travel or transit history in the last 14 days to some African nations as of Nov. 30. Affected locations include Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Returning Mongolians and foreigners with permanent residency may enter from the mentioned nations. However, such travelers must - in addition to submitting negative results of a pre-departure COVID-19 test -undergo a 10-day quarantine at a government-designated facility, and two additional tests during quarantine. The rules are applicable regardless of vaccination status. The government may extend similar enhanced measures to entrants from other countries with Omicron COVID-19 variant cases at short notice.
Domestic Restrictions
Officials are maintaining nationwide COVID-19-related restrictions under an orange alert level as of Nov. 30. 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
International passenger flights remain restricted; authorities have authorized 65 round-trip international flights through December. Destinations include Almaty, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Nursultan, Seoul, and Tokyo. Some chartered flights are operational for Mongolian nationals, permanent residents, some long-term visa holders, and other authorized arrivals with permission from Mongolian consulates.
Inbound passengers must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before entry and undergo an on-arrival COVID-19 test. They must also quarantine at home for at least seven days; those with documents proving completion of vaccination at least 14 days prior to arrival, or recovery from COVID-19 in the last four months are exempt from quarantine.
The government has reopened most border checkpoints for international cargo transport. However, international passenger ground transport may be subject to restrictions.
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.
