In the light of coronavirus pandemic, members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), as well as a large share of countries in post-Soviet territories, have imposed travel restrictions and entry bans, to reduce the transmission of the infection, VisaGuide.World reports.
From March 14, Azerbaijan and Armenia imposed partial restriction on travel, and a complete ban on passenger transportation between these neighbouring countries, for at least ten days, until further notice. Azerbaijan’s capital Baku is being isolated in a bid to halt the spread of the virus.
From March 16, Kazakhstan has become the first local nation that declared an emergency all over its territory and decided to close all national borders, for at least until April 15. On the same day, Lituania, Estonia, and Latvia also closed their borders until April 14.
Georgia temporarily suspended the entry for foreign citizens on March 18, for at least two weeks.
On March 17 and 18, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan announced that they would also take similar steps. From March 22, Moldova cancelled flights from Europe for 14 days. Tajikistan went under a full lockdown from March 20 until May 1, while Uzbekistan’s travel will be banned from March 23, for an unlimited period.
Russia announced that from March 27 it would temporarily suspend all flights, except evacuation flights, while Ukraine will completely close its borders from March 28.
The only country that hasn’t closed its borders as yet is Belarus. Besides, Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko advised Russia to “not spread panic” to the public.
“We have no urge to close [borders] from Polish, nor Russians, nor Ukrainians. If they want to – they can close. We don’t have to, because it doesn’t make any sense. It is simply impossible, especially in those places where there’s virtually no border – [where] people have crossed there for centuries and will continue to do so. So, God forbid, if there’s some pestilence, we won’t beat it territorially,” Lukashenko said.
Amid coronavirus outbreak, last week, 11 countries decided to ban the entry for internationals, to prevent the spread of the virus, and keep the citizens safe.
Caribbean destinations, as well, decided to close their borders as a precautionary measure in the fight against the COVID-19.
At least 17 Schengen Area countries have reintroduced their border controls, as this zone is tightened controls, while coronavirus continues to spread all over the world.