Information on border control measures taken by TRACECA countries in connection with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)* pandemics

On March 11, 2020 in connection with the recognition of the spread of the virus as pandemics, and in order to prevent outbreaks of further spread of the virus, Governments have taken measures to limit border crossing by citizens of the countries along the TRACECA corridor.

The movement of goods is partially restricted only by road transport. Railway freight traffic continues to operate without restrictions along TRACECA.Below are the measures taken by the countries participating in the functioning of the TRACECA corridor.

Azerbaijan

Passenger Transport
Land and air traffic have been suspended with the countries where the spread of the virus is observed (From 18 March, trips of citizens to Russia and backwards mutually stopped, from 14 March land and air traffic with Turkey was suspended, air connections with France, Germany, Georgia, Kazakhstan were temporarily cancelled).

Azerbaijan organized charter flights for the export of citizens. A decision was made to close the state border between Azerbaijan and Georgia for all vehicles from 00:00 on March 14, 2020 for 10 days. 

The necessary corridor will be provided for the departure of the Georgian citizens located in Azerbaijan and the arrival of the Azerbaijani citizens in Georgia.From March 23, the validity of the decision to close the state border was extended until April 20, 2020

Freight transport
Freight vehicles arriving in Azerbaijan from Iran, after several stages of disinfection are sent to a special terminal on the territory adjacent to the border.The cargo is unloaded at the terminal into vehicles with registration marks of Azerbaijan and sent to the point of destination. 

The movement of trucks from Iran, following through Azerbaijan in transit, is accompanied by the state road police of the country. (The drivers of these vehicles have the opportunities to rest and eat in specially isolated areas). Cargo vehicles arriving from other countries to Azerbaijan, after disinfection at the border, are sent to their destinations.
There were no restrictions on rail transport. 

More detailed information can be found at https://koronavirusinfo.az/  and https://cabmin.gov.az/ 

Armenia

Passenger transport

Since March 16, 2020, a special procedure has been established for the entry of citizens at all border points - Armenian citizens and members of their families, as well as persons entitled to reside, are allowed to enter the country. 

The entry of the foreigners from the countries affected by coronavirus disease, with the exception of diplomats, is not allowed. Departure of Armenian citizens outside the country by land transport is prohibited. The prohibition does not apply to persons engaged in cargo transportation.

Freight transport 
Restrictions were not imposed on freight transportation.

More detailed information can be found at  https://www.gov.am/ru/  

Bulgaria 

Passenger transport 
Passenger and freight traffic is limited in accordance with the Guidelines for border management measures to protect health and ensure the availability of goods and essential services as of 16 March 2020.

From 00:00 on March 20, 2020 to April 17, 2020, citizens of all third countries (non-EU countries) are temporarily banned from entering the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria through all border crossing points by all means of transport, with the exception of personnel associated with the carriage of goods.

The entry ban for the EU citizens from Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, and the relevant measures for drivers from these countries remain in force.
Bulgarian citizens, as well as persons with long or permanent residence in Bulgaria, and their families, are exempted from entry ban, but will be subjected to 14-day quarantine.

Freight transport 
There are no restrictions for cargo transportation, including transit and transport operations.At border crossings passengers and drivers arriving from the most affected countries (China, South Korea, Iran and Italy) are spot-checked.
There is a special mode for truck drivers:
- Bulgarian truck drivers are subject to the 14-day quarantine;
- Drivers of other countries can load and unload cargo, after which they should immediately leave the territory of Bulgaria. 

In case of transit traffic, the transit operation must be completed within 24 hours;
- transit of trucks registered and arriving from the Islamic Republic of Iran is temporarily prohibited.

The Bulgarian Government has also provided temporary relief in respect of driving requirements and rest times for drivers as provided in the EU rules 561-2006 for domestic and international transport of goods. 
The following exceptions are applied from March 19 to April 16, 2020:
- increase in the maximum daily driving limit from 9 hours to 11 hours;
- replacing the minimum requirements for daily breaks by establishing a break of 45 minutes in five and a half hours;
- reduction of the regular weekly rest period from 45 to 24 hours.

More detailed information can be found at   https://www.mtitc.government.bg/en   and https://www.aebtri.com/   

Georgia

Passenger transport 
From 18 March of the current year the restrictions on entry of foreign citizens by all modes of transport came into effect (from 18 March passenger transportation via railway has been suspended with the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, direct flights from China were suspended on 28 January 2020 and from Iran – on 23 February 2020, the flight ban was imposed on Italy from 6 March 2020 and the Czech Republic – from 29 March 2020).  

Reduced flights are mainly performed to the following countries: Israel, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Belarus, Poland, Bahrain, France, Armenia, Greece and Kazakhstan.

Note: Since 23 March 2020 all inner railway passenger transportation is suspended. However, for the purposes of ensuring smooth functioning of international freight transportation by railroad, exception is made for railway workers. 

Since 24:00 22 March 2020 new regulations aimed at introducing enhancing preventive measures with COVID-19 have been enacted. 

In particular, for border-crossing by passengers only the following border points are open since 10:00 till 18:00:
• For Turkey – Sarpi;
• For Azerbaijan – Red Bridge;
• For Russia – Lars;
• For Armenia – Sadakhlo

Freight transport  
Road transport is allowed in compliance with the following procedures:
• Drivers of freight vehicles, upon entering the country, are subject to mandatory screening in accordance with international health regulations;  
• If during a screening of the driver of a freight vehicle, a probable case of a virus disease is detected, he must be immediately isolated on the spot;
• Freight vehicle heading from high - risk countries designated by the WHO is eligible to enter the country if substituted with driver from lower risk group and the following health regulations applied:
1. Freight vehicle disinfection will be conducted under supervision of the authorized customs representative 
2. The driver of a freight vehicle, driving the vehicle on the customs border of Georgia, will return to his country (for citizens of foreign countries) or, taking into account the clinical condition, will be quarantined in the appropriate medical facility;
3. Haulage trucks of freight vehicles will be replaced with truck considered to be at lower risk of the spread of coronavirus. Initial haulage truck will be recalled. Trailers of each freight vehicle will be properly disinfected.

Regarding maritime transport, it should be noted that the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia implemented MARITIME HEALTH DECLARATION together with its Annexes - ATTACHMENT TO MARITIME DECLARATION OF HEALTH FOR CREW AND PASSENGERS in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

Note:  
For transport and transit of goods all border check-points are open for 24/7.
From 21 March 2020 till 21 April the state of emergency is declared on the territory of Georgia, however it does not affect the goods transportation and transit. 

Since 23 March 2020 on the territory of Bolnisi and Marneuli (includes Sadakhlo border check-points) municipalities quarantine measures are being implemented. Vehicles engaged into international transit of goods are allowed to enter the municipalities by condition of non-stop movement through their territories. 

Since 24 March 2020 all inner passenger transportation by minibuses and buses is suspended. More detailed information can be found at https://stopcov.gov.ge/ and http://www.gcaa.ge/geo/news.php?id=6495  

Kazakhstan

Passenger transport

Entry of foreign citizens into Kazakhstan is forbidden as of 8 AM on March 16, 2020.
Currently 49 regular international flights per week have been suspended and 84 international flights per week have been reduced (More detailed information can be found at http://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/miid/press/news/details/o-priostanovlenii-i-sokrashchenii-mezhdunarodnyh-aviareysov?lang=ru).

Freight transport 
Travel through the state border is subject to the following conditions:
- Transportation of goods by road in international traffic should be carried out in compliance with quarantine and sanitary-epidemiological standards;
- Drivers, regardless of citizenship, must use foreign passports to cross the state border;

Upon arrival at the BCP for entry into the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan (including transit), for the drivers from the countries of categories 1a) and 1b), as well as - the drivers of other states, who have been in categories 1a) and 1b) for the last 30 days, cargo release is allowed if the driver is replaced on the territory of the motor vehicle crossing border control points in compliance with quarantine and sanitary-epidemiological standards or with the replacement of Kazakhstan tractors.

The border service, together with the authorized state bodies, identified specific motor vehicle crossing BCPs for the passage of road cargo vehicles:

on the border with the Kyrgyz Republic:
"Karasu" BCP (Zhambyl region);
"Aisha-bibi" BCP (Zhambyl region).

on the border with the Republic of Uzbekistan:
 "B. Konysbaeva" BCP (Turkestan region);
 "Kazygurt" BCP (Turkestan region);
 "Tazhen" BCP (Mangistau region).

on the border with Turkmenistan:
 "Temir Baba" BCP (Mangistau region).

on the border with the People's Republic of China:
 "Nurzholy" BCP (Almaty region);
 "Dostyk" BCP (Almaty region);
 "Bakhty" BCP (East Kazakhstan region);
 "Maykapchagay" BCP (East Kazakhstan region).

at the border with the Russian Federation:
 "Kairak" BCP (Kostanay region);
 "Zhana Zhol" BCP (North Kazakhstan region);
"Karakog" BCP (North Kazakhstan region);
"Sharbakty" BCP (Pavlodar region);
 "Urlitobe" BCP (Pavlodar region);
 "Kosak" BCP (Pavlodar region);
 "Auyl" BCP (East Kazakhstan region);
 "Ube" BCP (East Kazakhstan region);
 "Zhaisan" BCP (Aktobe region);
 "Alimbet" BCP (Aktobe region);
 "Syrym" BCP (West Kazakhstan region);
 "Taskala" BCP (West Kazakhstan region);
 "Zhanibek" BCP (West Kazakhstan region);
 "Kurmangazy" BCP (Atyrau region).

At the same time, from March 5 of this year, service in the ports of Aktau and Kuryk wastemporarily suspended for the ships arriving from Azerbaijan and Iran The same refers to the transportation of people and vehicles with drivers.
For crews of foreign cargo ships, a restriction on exit from ships is introduced in the ports of Aktau and Kuryk.

More detailed information can be found at
http://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/miid?lang=ru and
http://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/dsm?lang=ru  

Kyrgyzstan

Passenger transport
Starting from March 1, 2020, entry restrictions for people recently coming from the countries with tense epidemiological situation entered into force. Since 20 March of this year, all international air services have been suspended.

Freight transport  
Restrictions on freight transport were not introduced.

More detailed information can be found at https://mfa.gov.kg/ru 

Moldova

Passenger transport
From 14 March of this year, the movement of railway passenger trains (from 14 March Chisinau-Sokol has been suspended, from 14 March, Chisinau - Moscow, from 15 March - Chisinau - St. Petersburg, from 16 March - Chisinau - Bucharest, from 16 March - Ungeni - Iasi since, from March 20, 2020 - Chisinau - Odessa).
From March 17, 2020, air traffic through the Chisinau International Airport was suspended.

Border crossing for foreign citizens was suspended:
from March 17, 2020, at 00.00 - the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border
from March 17, 2020, at 20.00 - the Moldovan-Romanian state border

This restriction does not apply to foreigners and stateless persons, living in Moldova, drivers and maintenance personnel of vehicles that carry goods, crews of aircraft / ships and crews of railway liners.

Freight transport  
Several border crossing points are closed for an indefinite period, so that only 17 border crossing points are currently operating in normal regime:

On the border with Romania,
• Leușeni - Albița (road / international)
• Skuleni - Skuleni (road / international)
• Ungheni – Iasi (railway / international)
• Giurgiulesti - Galati (international / road)
• Giurgiulesti - Galati (railway / international)
• Costești- Stinka (road / international)

On the border with Ukraine,
• Otach-Mogilev-Podolsk (road / international)
• Velchinets-Mogilev-Podolsk (railway / international)
• Oknitsa-Sokiryan (railway / international)
• Briceni-Rossoshany (road / international)
• Kriva-Mamalyga (road / international)
• Giurgiulesti-Reni (Road / International)
• Giurgiulesti-Reni (railway / international)
• Etulia- Fricatei (Railway / International)
• Mirnoe-Tabaki (road / international)
• Palanka-Mayaki - Udobnoe (road / international)
• Tudora-Starokazatsiya (road / international)

Moreover, additionally to several border crossing points previously closed, from 29.03.2020 at 08:00 the following will be closed for an unknown period:

- Costești- Stânca (the border with Romania)
- Briceni-Rossoşanî (the border with Ukraine)

More detailed information can be found at https://customs.gov.md/en 

Romania

Passenger transport

From 16 March, 2020, the following measures have been taken:
- Persons entering Romania from the countries where at least 500 people have confirmed the transmission of COVID-19 (based on the WHO list) will be quarantined or self-isolated for 14 days.
- As of 18.03.2020, 20.00 Romanian time all flights to Spain and from Spain to Romania are suspended on all Romania’s airports for a period of 14 days;
- The decision of suspending flights to Italy and from Italy to Romania is extended for a period of 14 days starting with March 23, 2020.
- Road transport of passengers by regular services, in international traffic to/from Italy from/to Romania starting from 10.03.2020 until 31.03. 2020 are   suspended

Freight transport   
The following measures have been taken with regard to road transport:
- Drivers of goods vehicles over 3,5 t who arrive from or have passed through areas with spread of coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2, are not subject to quarantine or isolation measures if at the border crossing point they do not show symptoms associated with virus.
- Drivers of goods vehicles over 3,5 t have the obligation, at the border crossing point, to have on them and to wear individual means of protection, such as (disinfectant, gloves, face mask) and to present documents attesting the route of travel to the destination.

At the same time, the following border crossing points have been closed:
- Border crossing points with Hungary: Turnu, Săcuieni, Salonta and Valea lui Mihai
- Border crossing point with Ukraine: Sighet
- Border crossing points with Bulgaria: Negru Vodă, Lipniţa, Dobromir, Zimnicea, Turnu Măgurele and Bechet
- Border crossing points with Moldova: Rădăuţi, Prut and Oancea

On Thursday, March 12, 2020, the Serbian authorities unilaterally closed the following border crossing points with Romania: Porţile de Fier 2, Moldova Nouă, Foieni, Lunga, Vâlcani, Drobeta Turnu Severin and Naidăş.

The Romanian authorities have introduced the same measures on a temporary relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for drivers performing domestic/international road transport of goods in compliance with the rules of EC 561-2006, as it is shown in Bulgarian case.

Border waiting times and more detailed information can be found at https://www.politiadefrontiera.ro/en/traficonline/?vt=2&dt=1 and https://www.untrr.ro/en/ 

Tajikistan

From January 2020, the border between Tajikistan and China - Kulma-Karasu has been completely closed.

From 11 to 16 March, 2020, all border crossing points on the border in Afghanistan were gradually being closed for the passengers. The border with Afghanistan remains open for freight traffic.

The borders between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are currently operating normally.

More detailed information can be found at https://mfa.tj/  

Turkey

Passenger transport

All border crossing points were closed to passengers from the following countries: Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Netherlands, China, Iran, Iraq, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Singapore Hong Kong and Thailand.

Starting from 19 March, the borders were closed to passengers between Turkey and Greece, and between Turkey and Bulgaria.

Freight transport   
 
Turkish truck drivers entering the country from any of the above countries will be placed in home quarantine for 14 days. Truck drivers (if they are not citizens of the above countries) entering the country from any of the listed countries will also be quarantined for 14 days and will not be allowed into Turkey during the quarantine period.

Truck drivers who are citizens of these countries are not allowed by the Turkish authorities to enter Turkey.

Otherwise, there are no restrictions on the transport of goods.
More detailed information can be found at http://www.mia.gov.tr/ 

Ukraine

Passenger transport
From March 16, from 00:00 to April 3, 2020, the entry is denied for foreign citizens who do not have the right for permanent or temporary residence in Ukraine.
From March 18 to April 3, 2020, border crossing points across the state border of Ukraine were closed for international regular railway, air and bus passenger services.

International passenger traffic is temporarily prohibited, except for the transport of people in order to protect national interests or in connection with the fulfillment of international obligations, as well as representatives of diplomatic institutions and humanitarian missions.

Border crossing points are open for the citizens of Ukraine travelling by their own transport. Open border crossing points for passenger transportation by cars can be viewed on an interactive map by clicking on the link: http://www.customs.gov.ua/?p=533  

Freight transport
International cargo transportation by all means of transport does not stop.

Foreign crews of aircraft, ships, cars, in accordance with the decision of the Government of Ukraine, will be able to enter the territory of Ukraine or in transit through Ukraine without obstacles, but will undergo a medical examination.

The following border crossing points are open for international truck traffic:

On the border between Ukraine and the Republic of Belarus:
• Senkovka-Veselovka;
• Novi Yarylovychi -Nova Huta;
• Slavutych - Komarin;
• Vilcha-Alexandrovka;
• Vypostovichi-New Rudnya;
• Gorodische-Verhniy Terebezhov;
• Prikladniki -Nevel;
• Dolsk-Mokhro;
• Domanovo-Mokrany;
• Pulemets-Tomashovka.

On the border between Ukraine and the Republic of Poland:
• Rava-Ruska-Hrebenne;
• Krakovets-Korchova;
• Jagodin-Dorohusk.
On the border between Ukraine and the Slovak Republic:
• Malyi Bereznyi-Ublya;
• Uzhgorod - Vishne Nimetske.
On the border of Ukraine and Hungary:
• Luzhanka – Beregshuran;
• Vylok-Tisabecs;
• Kosino-Barabash;
• Dzvinkove-Lonya;
• Chop (Thysa) -Zahon.
On the border between Ukraine and Romania:
• Dyakove-Halmeu;
• Porubne-Siret.
On the border between Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova:
• Palanca-Mayaki-Udobne;
• Starokazachye-Tudora;
• Reni-Giurgiulest;
• Tabaki-Mirnoe;
• Mogilev-Podolsk -Otach;
• Rossoshany-Briceni;
• Mamalyga-Kriva.
On the border between Ukraine and the Russian Federation:
• Chugunivka-Verigovka;
• Pletenevka-Shebekino;
• Goptivka-Nekhoteyevka;
• Velikaya Pisarevka - Grayvoron;
• Yunakovka-Suja;
• Bachevsk-Troyebortnoye;
• Katerinivka-Krupets;
• Gremyach-Pogar;
• Senkovka-Novye Yurkovichi;
• Melovoy-Chertkovo;
• Prosyany-Bugayovka;
• Tanyushivka-Rovenky;

Information on border crossing points can be found at: https://www.kmu.gov.ua/npas/pro-timchasove-zakrittya-deyakih-punktiv-propusku-cherez-derzhavnij-kordon-ta-punktiv-kontrolyu-i-pripinennya-v-nih-pishohidnogo-spoluchennya-288130320 or http://www.asmap.org.ua/ 


Uzbekistan

From 16 March, all air, rail and road communications with third countries have been suspended. The restrictions do not apply to persons and vehicles involved in the carriage of goods by road, rail, maritime, river and air.

More detailed information can be found at
customs.uz/en/news/category/17  

In general, the restrictions did not apply to rail freight transport.

Carriage of goods by road transport depends on the nationality of drivers and their history of staying in the countries where the spread of the virus is recorded. Practically at all borders of the TRACECA member countries, the WHO recommendations are applied, and the quarantine up to 14 days is being considered. In the case of replacement of driver or saddle hauler truck at the border, barriers or restrictions on freight transport by road are not  employed.