Within EU-funded COVID-19 Solidarity Programme for the Eastern Partnership countries AFEW International prepares regular updates on the COVID-19 developments in the region – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. What is the situation today? Please, check it here!
You can find previous updates in the COVID Corner on our website.
As for 17.01.2022
The number of coronavirus cases per population ratio since the start of the pandemic (January 22, 2020) in the 6 countries of the EaP
Source: Sciences Po Media lab Coronavirus Country Comparator
SITUATION REPORT ARMENIA
Cases of COVID-19
— COVID-19 infections are increasing in Armenia, with 233 new infections reported on average each day. That’s 11% of the peak — the highest daily average reported on November 1.
— There have been 347,617 infections and 8,108 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— Armenia extends existing COVID-19 measures until June 20, 2022.
— Domestic measures: all staff must demonstrate proof of COVID-19 vaccination to their employers or self-fund a PCR test every 14 days; some categories of person, including pregnant women, are exempt. Protective face coverings are mandatory in public spaces, including on public transport, and restrictions on gatherings remain in place. Businesses are permitted to reopen provided they maintain strict hygiene and social distancing requirements.
— International travel restrictions: international flights are permitted and land borders are open; however, international arrivals via air or land must produce proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 using a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival or evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination. Individuals arriving without the required documentation must pay for a test on arrival and self-isolate until a negative result is confirmed.
Vaccine
— Armenia has administered at least 1,694,518 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 28.6% of the country’s population.
SITUATION REPORT AZERBAIJAN
Cases of COVID-19
— COVID-19 infections are increasing in Azerbaijan, with 641 new infections reported on average each day. That’s 15% of the peak — the highest daily average reported on December 14.
— There have been 625,726 infections and 8,521 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— A special quarantine regime is imposed in the country until 06:00, 1 March 2022. Functioning of malls and shopping centers, shops, museums and exhibition halls is permitted. Inter-city and inter-regional travel is allowed. On-site services in catering facilities are allowed from 06:00 till 00:00. Cinemas, theatres, entertainment centers in the country are functioning. COVID-19 passport is required for people above 18 to enter catering facilities, hotels, malls and large shopping centers, cinemas, theatres and entertainment centers.
Vaccine
– Azerbaijan has administered at least 11,648,496 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 58.1% of the country’s population.
SITUATION REPORT BELARUS
Cases of COVID-19
— COVID-19 infections are increasing in Belarus, with 1,050 new infections reported on average each day. That’s 51% of the peak – the highest daily average reported on October 26.
— There have been 715,643 infections and 5,824 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— COVID-19-related restrictions in Belarus remain generally unchanged as of 4 January 2022 by comparison with those in effect during late November. The only substantive change in the government’s directives is that citizens arriving from abroad are no longer required to self-isolate.
Vaccine
– Belarus has administered at least 8,914,267 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 47.1% of the country’s population.
SITUATION REPORT GEORGIA
Cases of COVID-19
— COVID-19 infections in Georgia are at their peak – the highest daily average reported – now at 5,116 new infections reported each day. Average number of new infections reported in Georgia each day reaches new high: Now reporting more than 5,100 daily.
— There have been 995,687 infections and 14,449 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— All vaccinated arrivals must present evidence of a completed vaccination cycle, or of recovery from Covid within 100 days alongside an initial vaccination.
Those arriving via land or sea must also present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, in Georgian, English or Russian. Children under 10 are exempt from the testing requirement.
For non-vaccinated arrivals from the countries listed above, the restrictions are tighter. They must travel direct to Georgia, with no stop-offs or transits. On arrival at the border they must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, and must take a further PCR test on day three. They must also fill in a contact tracing form.
On December 1, Georgia introduced a “Green Pass” system. Those without the mobile phone-based app will be unable to enter venues such as hotels, restaurants, cinemas, spas and gyms.
Vaccine
— Georgia has administered at least 2,613,313 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 35.1% of the country’s population.
SITUATION REPORT REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
Cases of COVID-19
— COVID-19 infections are increasing in Moldova, with 1,145 new infections reported on average each day. That’s 69% of the peak — the highest daily average reported on October 23. Average number of new infections reported each day in Moldova rises by more than 910 over the last 3 weeks, 54% of its previous peak.
— There have been 387,920 infections and 10,437 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— Markets, restaurants and bars are operating usual hours, including food delivery services. Malls and commercial centres are operating usual working hours (until 10pm). Schooling is both online and in-person. Nightclubs are closed. Restaurants, cafes, theatres, cinemas and concert halls are open, but access will only be permitted upon presentation, either on paper or electronically, of one of the following documents (for persons over the age of 18):
- a COVID-19 vaccination certificate evidencing full vaccination;
- a negative PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before the event;
- a negative rapid antigen test result taken no more than 48 hours before the event;
- confirmation of the presence of COVlD-19 antibodies (serological antibodies test).The document is valid for a period of 90 days from the date of the test.
You must also carry one form of photo identification as well as your COVID-19 document such as a passport or driving license.
You must wear a mask outside at mass gatherings, and in enclosed spaces such as supermarkets, restaurants, bars and on public transport. Officials have the authority to issue fines for non-compliance. Social distancing of 1m must be observed.
Vaccine
— Moldova has administered at least 1,839,531 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 34.6% of the country’s population.
SITUATION REPORT UKRAINE
COVID-19 cases
— Ukraine is reporting 7,426 new infections on average each day, 33% of the peak – the highest daily average reported on October 30.
— There have been 3,754,458 infections and 98,283 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the country since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— Ukraine has extended the effective duration of the adaptive quarantine regime used for tracking domestic COVID-19 activity as of Dec. 30. The adaptive quarantine regime will now remain in effect until March 31, 2022. Additionally, authorities have updated the classification of regions under this system.
— Domestic Measures: A COVID-19-related nationwide state of emergency remains in effect, and authorities maintain an “adaptive quarantine” system for tracking disease activity. Under this system, each region is classified as being at either the green, yellow, orange, or red level in order of increasing transmission risk as determined by the volume of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, local morbidity rates, and the capacity of local hospitals.
As of Dec. 30, all regions of the country are classified as yellow. No regions are currently classified as green, orange, or red.
Restrictions in orange and yellow zones include capacity limits for mass events, cultural institutions, and fitness centers, among other measures. Yellow- and orange-level restrictions do not apply if all individuals at an event or facility and at least 80 percent of staff are vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19 or have recently tested negative for the disease. Restrictions in red zones generally include the closure of nonessential businesses and a prohibition on public gatherings. Authorities, however, allow for nonessential businesses to operate provided both personnel and customers are either fully vaccinated, recovered, or can provide a negative PCR or antigen test result no older than 72 hours.
Proof of vaccination, recovery, or a recent negative test result is required for all interregional transportation, including via buses, trains, and airplanes; such requirements do not apply for travel within a region unless specifically mandated by local authorities, as is the case in Kyiv city. Facemasks remain mandatory in enclosed public spaces and on public transport across Ukraine.
— International Travel Restrictions: Ukraine maintains tightened international entry restrictions for certain travelers. All travelers who have spent more than seven days in the last 14 days in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique must self-isolate for 14 days upon entry.
All non-resident foreign nationals traveling to Ukraine must have health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment and must generally present documentation indicating vaccination against or recovery from COVID-19 or proof of a negative result from a PCR or rapid antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Unvaccinated travelers must also take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival or subsequently begin up to 10 days of self-isolation, which can end early after receiving a negative result. All unvaccinated foreign nationals entering Ukraine must download and install the “Vdoma” COVID-19 mobile application, which authorities use to monitor self-isolation.
Unvaccinated travelers arriving from Russia and India must undergo self-isolation for at least 14 days. There are no provisions for such travelers to end their quarantine period early.
Vaccine
– Ukraine has administered at least 29,260,691 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 33% of the country’s population.
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