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).
To improve the quality of these situation reports, we asked you to fill in our questionnaire in May 2021. We would like to thank those of you who filled in the questionnaire. Based on your suggestions the data per country now shows not the general situation since the beginning of the pandemic, but current trends and a 7-day average.
You can find previous updates in the COVID Corner on our website.
Regional overview
The number of coronavirus cases per population ratio since the start of the active phase of the pandemic (April 1 2020) in the 6 countries of the Eastern Partnership
Source: Sciences Po Media lab Coronavirus Country Comparator
Cases of COVID-19
— As of June 1, the number of infected in one day has grown by 108, while 213,429 (+221) people have recovered, other 3,822 (-120) are getting treatment. The total death toll reached 4,445 (+7), other,1,082 (+0) patients died from other diseases. In a day 7 people died.
— In general, COVID-19 infections are decreasing in Armenia, with 85 new infections reported on average each day. That’s 4% of the peak — the highest daily average reported on November 1.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— The quarantine in Armenia declared on January 11 is still in place till July 11, 5 p.m.
Vaccine
— Armenia has administered at least 33,529 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 0.6% of the country’s population. During the last week reported, Armenia averaged about 1,016 doses administered each day. At that rate, it will take a further 582 days to administer enough doses for another 10% of the population.
Situation report Azerbaijan
Cases of COVID-19
— COVID-19 infections are decreasing in Azerbaijan, with 170 new infections reported on average each day. That’s 4% of the peak — the highest daily average reported on December 14.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— Azerbaijan has eased coronavirus restrictions on May 31. People are no longer required to wear face masks in public places, Baku Metro and inter-city travel have also resumed on May 31. The country made it mandatory in June 2020 to wear masks to stem the spread of COVID-19.
— Meanwhile, places of worship, shopping malls, beaches and gyms will open on June 10.
— ‘COVID passports’ are also being launched. Either a vaccination certificate or an immune certificate (recovery from COVID-19) will be required to enter sports and recreational centers.
Vaccine
— Azerbaijan has administered at least 2,367,094 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 11.8% of the country’s population. During the last week reported, Azerbaijan averaged about 37,561 doses administered each day. At that rate, it will take a further 54 days to administer enough doses for another 10% of the population.
Situation report Belarus
Cases of COVID-19
— Belarus confirmed 915 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
— Belarus is reporting 1,000 new infections on average each day, 52% of the peak — the highest daily average reported on December 15.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— The Healthcare Ministry’s anti-coronavirus recommendations remain the same – social distancing, limiting face-to-face contact, avoiding crowds, wearing masks.
Vaccine
— More than 542,300 Belarusians have already received the first dose of the vaccine and over 297,100 have already got both shots.
Situation report Georgia
Cases of COVID-19
— Georgia has reported 833 new cases of coronavirus, 1,205 recoveries and 19 deaths in the past 24 hours. 28,191 tests were conducted around the country in the past 24 hours. 3.16 per cent of tested individuals had Covid-19 in the past 14 days.
— On May 27, Georgia has reported five cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19, the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) announced.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— On June 1, after more than a year-long closure due to the coronavirus pandemic Georgia has opened its land borders. Individuals are admitted through the land borders of Georgia with evidence of full vaccination and negative PCR test results or alternatively only with a negative PCR test result taken within the last 72 hours. A follow-up test three days after entry must also be taken. As for travelling by air to Georgia, in this case, the travellers are required to present the document confirming the full course (two doses, one dose in case of Johnson&Johnson) of any Covid-19 vaccination at the border checkpoints of Georgia and are allowed to enter the country.
— Mass Covid-19 immunisation is expected to start in Georgia in July, according to the Head of the Georgian National Centre for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze. From July, Georgia wants to establish mass vaccination centers in big cities, such as Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, with a daily capacity of 3,000-4,000 vaccines.
Situation report Republic of Moldova
Cases of COVID-19
— The number of new cases has decreased twice over the last week and reached a 7-day average of 54 on June 2 compared to 119 for the preceding week.
— The number of active cases has decreased 31% in the past week compared to the previous week.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— Hungary and Moldova vaccinated travellers can travel to these countries without the need to undergo any entry restrictions such as quarantine and negative test results since May 31.
— As of May 29, mandatory mask-wearing in the open has been cancelled in Chisinau. However, this protective measure shall be maintained when citizens enter the premises or use public transport, at meetings and mass events. Restaurants and hotels (HoReCa) have resumed their work too.
This does not apply to the work of nightclubs, discos and karaoke. The capacity of the halls in cafes and other establishments should not exceed 50%. Recreation areas and amusement parks also resumed their work. Children’s recreation camps on the territory of the municipality are allowed. Theatres opened and various outdoor performances are now allowed.
Vaccine
— As of June 3, Moldova has administered at least 426,086 doses of COVID vaccines. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 8% of the country’s population. During the last week reported, Moldova averaged about 14,725 doses administered each day. At that rate, it will take a further 37 days to administer enough doses for another 10% of the population.
— Over the 3 days of the ‘coronavirus vaccination marathon’, organized by the Moldovan Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection and the Chisinau City Hall on May 31, more than 5500 citizens came to the Palatul Republicii [Palace of the Republic] and got vaccinated.
COVID-19 cases
— The average number of new infections reported each day in Ukraine falls by more than 3,000 over the last 3 weeks, 19% of its previous peak.
— COVID-19 infections are decreasing in Ukraine, with 2,425 new infections reported on average each day. That’s 15% of the peak — the highest daily average reported on April 8.
Measures to contain the epidemic
— Ukrainian authorities announced on May 20, that ongoing quarantine measures will be extended until June 22.
— Ukraine is maintaining measures imposed to combat the spread of COVID-19 as of May 27. An adaptive quarantine regime is in place through at least June 22. Under this system, all regions are classified as one of four color-coded zones – green, yellow, orange, or red. As of May 27, all regions are in the yellow zone. Yellow zones are subject to nationwide restrictions only, which include the following:
- Restaurants, cafes, and bars must close 23:59-07:00.
- Attendance caps are in place on public events and religious services.
- Public transport, except for metro trains, is limited to 50 percent capacity.
- Social distancing standards are in force.
- Protective face coverings are mandatory in public, including on public transport, in public buildings, and in crowded indoor spaces.
Vaccine
— Ukraine has administered at least 1,214,883 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Assuming every person needs 2 doses, that’s enough to have vaccinated about 1.4% of the country’s population. During the last week reported, Ukraine averaged about 13,350 doses administered each day. At that rate, it will take a further 665 days to administer enough doses for another 10% of the population.
~
Interesting reads
— BBC: Belarus bans most citizens from going abroad read.
— WHO: WHO validates Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use and issues interim policy recommendations read.
— Agenda.ge: Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova request EU support in acquiring coronavirus vaccines read.
— EU support to Eastern Partnership countries in tackling COVID-19 download.
— Reuters: New Ukraine health minister vows to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations read.
~
Please feel free to share if you have any comments or additional information about the situation with the COVID-19 in the countries of the EaP
