Authorities will ease restrictions nationwide from 06:00 May 8 amid ongoing COVID-19 activity. Officials will permit most business sectors to resume operations; however, higher-risk businesses, such as retail outlets, cultural and entertainment venues, fitness facilities, bars, and nightclubs, will remain closed until at least May 22. Restaurants cannot offer dine-in services, though some outdoor seating is possible. The government will begin to reopen such businesses in phases for fully vaccinated residents; these individuals can return to fitness centers from May 15 and shopping centers from May 22 using a quick response (QR) code health certificate. Public gatherings remain limited to five people. The government also continues to require all people to wear facemasks in public nationwide.

Local officials will continue to restrict transport to and from provincial capitals. The government also restricts travel from Ulaanbaatar to other areas of Mongolia. Exceptions are in place for essential cargo shipments, healthcare workers, business trips, and charity work. Individuals traveling from other parts of Mongolia must complete a health declaration form before entering Ulaanbaatar. Officials are resuming traffic management using quick-response (QR) codes for private vehicles and taxis; authorization is only possible for people required to work onsite and other exceptions. Residents of the capital must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours to leave the city; officials will also permit interprovincial travel for fully vaccinated residents. Public transport will return to regularly scheduled services 07:00-23:00 daily.

Authorities will likely continue highly localized lockdowns in residential buildings and businesses that have reported COVID-19 exposure in the capital. Residents, employees, and patrons of these locations must undergo COVID-19 testing and quarantine until receiving negative test results. 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 seven days.

The government continues to permit international cargo transport via the Tsagaannuur and Borshoo border checkpoints. Authorities will reopen the Ereentsav border checkpoint for freight starting May 10.

Travel RestrictionsInternational travel restrictions will remain in effect until at least May 31. International commercial flights and passenger rail transport remain banned; only repatriation flights are operational for Mongolian nationals, permanent residents, and some long-term visa holders. Some charter flights for foreign nationals seeking to leave Mongolia are also authorized. International arrivals are required to quarantine in government-run facilities at their own expense for 10 days, followed by four days of self-quarantine.

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.