Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Minsk, Belarus (March 27, 2020)
(Please note: information updated within the past 24 hours is in bold)
Location: Belarus
Event: The Belarus Ministry of Health announced 8 additional cases of COVID-19 on March 27, 2020. There are now 94 cases of COVID-19 in Belarus. Of these, 62 are undergoing treatment, and 32 have recovered. There have been no deaths. Belarus reported its first case February 28. The Ministry of Health reports that authorities have conducted over 24,000 tests since January 23.
The Belarusian government has banned mass events that include international participation. Essential government services are not affected.
Due to border closures and flight cancellations, options for departing Belarus are increasingly limited. Those wishing to depart Belarus should immediately take advantage of remaining flights. On March 26, Etihad Airways suspended all flights out of Abu Dhabi, including its flight to and from Minsk. As of March 27, 2020, Belavia is operating out of Minsk International Airport with connections to the United States via the following cities:
Amsterdam
Brussels (connecting flights to the U.S. will cease 3/28)
London
Paris
Frankfurt
Istanbul
U.S. citizens may travel from Europe to the United States following CDC guidelines. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.
The Government of Belarus has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. Travelers arriving in Belarus should be prepared for temperature checks at airports. Those arriving from China, Iran, South Korea or Italy or other countries where the virus is active, are encouraged to undergo testing at the airport and should be prepared for follow-up by local health authorities and possible quarantine.
On March 26, 2020, Belarus instituted a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine requirement for persons entering Belarus from countries where the COVID-19 virus is actively circulating. The quarantine requirement does not apply to transit passengers, travelers transporting cargo, air crew, or diplomats. Belarus has also established mandatory COVID-19 testing and a14-day in hospital monitoring period for all close contacts of individuals who test positive for COVID-19.
The Ministry of Health provides Russian language updates on its telegram channel at: https://web.telegram.org/#/im?p=@minzdravbelarus and via the Ministry website: http://minzdrav.gov.by/ru/
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on travel restrictions as well as the website of the State Border Committee of the Republic of Belarus which has current information about the status of Belarusian border controls.
For information on the recent Presidential Proclamations on travel, see the Department of State’s Frequently Asked Questions page. For information on arriving in the U.S., please refer to the Department of Homeland Security’s webpage.
Actions to Take:
Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Ensure you have sufficient food, prescriptions, and other essential items in your home in the event you need to self-quarantine.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19for information on conditions in Belarus
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy/Consulate Minsk, Belarus
46 Starovilenskaya, Minsk
+375 17 210 1283
ConsularMinsk@State.gov
https://by.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive Alerts.
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