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 of 11 August 2022:
Regional overview
Confirmed daily COVID-19 cases in 2022, between 1 January 2020 and 10 August 2022 in the 6 countries of the Eastern Partnership
Source: Sciences Po Media lab Coronavirus Country Comparator
Situation report Armenia
Image: Worldometer
Cases of COVID-19
— In Armenia, COVID-19 cases are increasing. In the first week of August alone, 1849 new cases have been confirmed, which is 3 times higher than 3 weeks earlier.
— There have been 428,648 infections, 8,637 coronavirus-related deaths, and 412,661 recoveries reported in Armenia since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— As of May 1, 2022, Armenia has waived the requirement of passengers to present a vaccination document or negative PCR test upon entry. Armenia remains open to foreign visitors by air and land.
— The quarantine regime, which replaced the state of emergency in Armenia in September 2020, had expired on June 20, 2022, thereby annulling all remaining quarantine measures.
— The Ministry of Health of Armenia announced that in 2021, 35.2 billion dram have been directed to combat the COVID19 pandemic.
Vaccine
— Armenia has administered at 2,150,112 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 33.3 % of the country’s population.
Situation report Azerbaijan
Image: Worldometer
Cases of COVID-19
— Azerbaijan is reporting 121 new COVID-19 cases on August 8.
— There have been 803,157 infections, 9,768 coronavirus-related deaths, and 790,193 recoveries reported in Azerbaijan since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— Corona restrictions have been largely lifted. Public facilities are mostly open. However, restrictions on the use of public services remain in place for the unvaccinated. Foreign certificates are accepted as proof of full vaccination or recovery. It is obligatory to wear a mouth-nose protection in indoor areas and public transportation.
— At present, entry into the country is only possible by plane. However, as of 15 April 2022, the obligation to present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 is abolished for foreigners arriving in the Republic of Azerbaijan, and passengers of domestic flights will not be required to provide the document.
— Among the initiatives by Azerbaijan to respond to the coronavirus crisis, robust strategies were adopted to minimize its impact on society, including social protection of women and children, displaced persons, older population, people with disabilities and migrants.
Vaccine
— Azerbaijan has administered at least 13,832,547 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 48.3% of the country’s population.
Situation report Belarus
Image: Worldometer
— Belarus is expecting a new COVID-19 wave by September 2022 because the Ministry of Health is starting to consider COVID-10 a seasonal illness. On August 9, two first cases of a Omicron BA.5 coronavirus strain have been reported in Belarus.
— There have been 994,037 infections, 7,118 coronavirus-related deaths, and 985,592 recoveries reported in the country since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— On April 3rd, Belarus has lifted its covid-related borders restrictions, which were in place since October 2020. Now Belarus citizens can now freely cross the border, while foreign travelers can enter Belarus with a PCR test or vaccination proof. Citizens of Russia and Ukraine are exempted from this requirement due to the geopolitical situation.
— Schools and workplaces have no lockdown measures or recommendations. People are no longer encouraged to stay at home or isolate.
Vaccine
— Belarus has administered at least 13,394,906 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 67.3% of the country’s population.
— In response to the new coronavirus strain cases, the Ministry of Health launched new vaccination campaign. Vaccinations will now be conducted for children aged 5-17 with two doses of Sinopharm, while adults can be vaccinated either with Sputnik Light, two doses of Gam-Covid-Vac, or Sinopharm, followed by one booster dose of either.
Situation report Georgia
Image: Worldometer
— During the week of July 31 – August 7, Georgian authorities reported 12,729 new cases of COVID-19, as well as 11,199 recoveries, and 8 fatalities.
— There have been 1,698,020 infections, 16,869 coronavirus-related deaths, and 1,637,293 recoveries reported in the country since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— Amiran Gamkrelidze, the Head of the National Centre for Disease Control, assures that the “pandemic situation in Georgia is under control” as figures of coronavirus-related deaths have been unchanged for weeks.
— Practically, all the restrictions and regulations have been waived, except for the uniform wearing of masks. Facemasks are mandatory only at healthcare facilities and in public transport. Since May 2, 2022, it is no longer compulsory to wear the facemask at schools or outside.
— A complete report on government measures implemented in Georgia against COVID elaborates on the four stages from preventing to slowing, managing, and adapting to the coronavirus.
Vaccine
— Georgia has administered at least 2,913,546 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 44.1% of the country’s population.
Situation report Republic of Moldova
Image: Worldometer
— Moldova is reporting an increase in COVID-19 cases: between 25-31 July 2022, new cases have reached 9500.
— There have been 551,862 infections, 11,662 coronavirus-related deaths, and 504,142 recoveries reported in Moldova since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— Due to rising cases of COVID-19, “code orange” state has been announced in the capital city of Chisinau on 12 July 2022. However, the Minister noted that new COVID-19 measures will not be as severe as those during 2020-2021 due to changing attitudes and rising vaccination rates.
— In July, the National Emergency Commission for Public Health again recommended that Moldovan citizens wear protective masks in public and private medical institutions, public transport, shopping malls, food and non-food stores. It also recommended a physical distance of at least one meter between people, rules of hygiene and a self-isolation regime for infected people.
Vaccine
— Moldova has administered at least 2,209,103 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 40.4% of the country’s population.
Situation report Ukraine
Image: Worldometer
COVID-19 cases
— Ukraine is reporting a rise in coronavirus infections: in the first week of August, 3893 new cases have been reported, which is 40% higher than the week before.
— There have been 5,026,496 infections, 108,727 coronavirus-related deaths, and 4,904,953 recoveries reported in the country since the pandemic began.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— Since March 26, Ukraine has abandoned its quarantine zone system. During the state of war, employees are not obligated to vaccinate. Healthcare authorities are preparing for a spike in COVID cases, although it is difficult to obtain real-time data.
— On May 27, the country-wide quarantine has been extended until 31 August 2022.
Vaccine
— Ukraine has administered at least 31,668,577 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 36.5% of the country’s population.
— Ukraine’s Ministry of Health encourages its citizens who flee the war to get vaccinated abroad when they have a chance to do so: particularly, in Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Moldova, Hungary, and Czechia.
— To encourage vaccinations in the country, on July 20th 2022, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine has allowed citizens to get a second booster COVID-19 vaccination shot.
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