COVID-19: North & Central Asia border closures and travel restrictions
 

This thread is ment to exchange information about
- travel restrictions in Central Asia due to the Corona virus/Covid-19
- any other news about Corona in these countries.

Our original plan is to travel through the STANs and Russia from April to autumn. We still stick to it, but chances are high that closed borders or similar obstacles might influence our trip.

Right now I am aware of two border restrictions:
- Russia closed their border to China and to Mongolia last week. The first could be read "everywhere", the second was reported by two seperate German motorcycle travellers.
- The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this on their offical page:
On 18.02.2020 Kazakstan introduced preventive measurments against Corona:
1) Charantine in hospital for travellers, who´ve been to China in the last 14 days.
2) Limitation of travel-freedom / kind of "soft" charantine for people who visited countries with sigificant numbers of infections within the last 14 days (e.g. Singapur, Hongkong, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Iran, Northkorea, Southkorea and Italy)
3) Travellers from countries with insignificant numbers of infections have to be available for 24 days for medical inspection (remote monitoring).

The latest might be a bad translation by me and I have no further information of how this remote monitoring might work. But I have a feeling that our kind of travelling = zigzaging through the contry without a fixed agenda/route, including bushcamping, is not what they would allow these days.

Beside the risk of not being allowed into one of the countries I see the danger of an outbrake in one of them while we are there. In consequence Russia will most likely close their borders, which would block our way back home.

Underdeveloped countries like Tadjikistan und Kyrgystan are neighbours of China and once the virus is there, they have not the resources to cope with it. Thereby it will spread rapidly in those countries.

Cheers

Panny

Hi Panny

We (two guys on KTM 790R) are due to leave on 10/4...plan was to go to bottom of Italy and ferry across to Durres and onwards through Greece, Turkey, Georgia , Azerbaijan and ferry across to Turkmenistan then the stans through to China and meet guide to take us along to Laos......the guide has asked if we can postpone till September but thats not possible so we were going to head towards China and if all fails head across Kazakhstan and towards home... now Italy is a problem so we were going to reroute via Croatia to Istanbul but I'm beginning to think this is becoming no longer a pleasure ride and more a case of dodging the bullets.....
We will sit tight for a couple of weeks and see what happens......

For the Mongolian border:

I asked my relatives in Mongolia ( and there are some who really know about these things )

The Mongolian-Russian border was closed for Tsaagan Sar , which is the Mongolian Lunar new year.
Also some cities like UB and Darkhan were closed during Tsaagan Sar.

In the situation of the corona virus the Mongolian Government did not want people to travel around through the whole country in this situation.

There the borders and cities will be opened again on 27th of February

The Russian border to Mongolia stays closed to Chinese Citizens or travellers who have been in China for the last 3 month.

But they will be open for the rest.
At least as long it does not change the situation in a bad way.

Kazakhstan has instituted modest monitoring measures for travelers outside of the stricter ones for Chinese nationals.

They have no reported cases as of now.

See here https://kz.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

This of course will change frequently.

Dan

Hi Dan,

that´s, what I listed above under number 3.
Your link gave me at least a better understanding of this "remote monitoring":
QUOTE
Individuals arriving from these countries will be subject to 24 days of daily medical monitoring by telephone following their arrival to Kazakhstan.
END OF QUOTE.


Thanks
Panny

Kyrgyzstan
 

So far as I am informed:
- Chinese border closed since beginning of February.
- No infections public till now in Kyrgyzstan.

Live as usual here and soon ready for gravel n' dust!
Chears!

The key is the direct link to the US consular website which is live and updated for US citizens and other countries also. I’ve noticed it already updated in the few days that I have been following it.


Dan

I'm also planning a trip to the 'Stans, Pamir highway and Iran, leaving end of April till beginning of October.
I feel at this moment it's better to skip Iran.

@gsadvman Where and wich ferry do you take and how organize the visa?

See this discussion on another forum that focuses on Central Asia travel:

Corona virus border closures

It's a long discussion, and I don't know if the original poster is updating the very first post (that appears to be the case, but I can't be sure). But the participants in that discussion are mostly on-site in Central Asia, so I think the information you will find there is credible.

Michael

Kyrgyzstan Entry Restrictions - Corona Virus
 

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Bad news :thumbdown:
.


https://24.kg/english/145168__Foreig...er_Kyrgyzstan/


https://24.kg/english/145109_Kyrgyzs...ral_countries/

Tajikistan Entry Restrictions - Corona Virus
 

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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-h...KBN20P28G?il=0


https://asiaplustj.info/en/news/taji...zhdan-35-stran
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More Info: https://caravanistan.com/forum/viewt...p=35910#p35910

Kazakhstan - Corona-Virus
 

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- MEMO for the attention of travellers planning to visit Kazakhstan!
.

More Info: https://caravanistan.com/forum/viewt...p=35910#p35910

Tajikistan scales down coronavirus-related travel ban
 

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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-h...-idUSKBN20Q215
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More Info: https://caravanistan.com/forum/viewt...p=35939#p35939

We are now going to head for Istanbul overland rather than down Italy and ferry across.....then onto Azerbaijan and ferry to Turkmenistan.
Tajikistan and Azerbaijan visa done online.....easy peasy
Leaving U.K. on 10/4

All of this doesn't sound good to all of us planning to hit Eurasia/Central Asia soon or for those who are stuck there :(

I'm on a French passport and I am also headed that way. Currently in Poland.

I can't find relevant information about what measures the Russians ( and Belarusians ) may have taken to monitor the situation apart from the border closures with China.

Does anyone know ?

Cheers,

Levelo.

Hi Levelo,


Russians seem quite relaxed after what I´ve read here: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm


Cheers


Panny

Thanks Panny !
Until further development...

Sad to post that our Aussie crew of 7 due to hit Russia in May have just pulled the pin. Still holding out for another way.

As of March 5th people flying into all Moscow airports from infected areas or whose passports show that they have recently been to those countries ( the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, Norway, China, Iran, Spain, S.Korea, Japan, among others ) will be quarantined for 14 days in Moscow.
As of today this measure doesn't extend to the whole Russian Federation, but it might soon be the case. Stay tuned.

Source?

Friends of mine across the border in Belarus ( I'm in Poland ) who've just told me.
Then I doublechecked on the French Embassy's website in Moscow and it just confirmed it.
So far it affects only people flying in, and only in Moscow.
I fear that soon the whole country will implement the same measures. And Belarus will do just the same.

Hi Panny
Many thanks for starting this thread. I've a bike parked in Central Asia that I was intending on riding back to Europe this summer. I'm monitoring the situation closely and will decide last minute if/ if not the trip happens this year.

As per today, the chances are 95% against. I'll have to actually decide in June.

We live in interesting times.

Yes Chris, interesting times !
But probably not the best year to hit the road :-(.
I somehow managed to dodge the Ebola crisis while crossing Africa some years back but this time around I think I am going to end up stuck somewhere between the Baltic Sea and the Stans.
But I've already left home, so I'll make the best of it.

For completeness, a relevant post on HU-Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/theh...3589088737677/

No kidding. I just escaped from Italy on Saturday, into Tunisia.

When I go back, I think I will try to take a ferry to France, rather than Italy. But the passenger counts on the ferries are very low (only 60 people on the ferry Saturday from Palermo to Tunis), there is a risk that the ferry operator might just cancel the Marseilles route.

Sure as heck I don't want to go back to Italy.

Michael

Yeah, no s.it !
Israel has just decided to quarantine anyone coming in.

Another HU FB post with the usual unhelpful and useful comments:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/653585...22113421218577

Yeah, but look at the bright side of things:

At least the Jews can get to their holy sites after a 14 day wait. The Saudi's won't let the Muslims go to Mecca at all - even though the Koran says that Mecca is the safest place on earth. :)

Michael

As of today, Mongolia will close borders to European travellers ( or maybe complete )

Parlament is deciding just right now.

A French traveller came into Mongolia a few days ago and was tested.
The authorities asked him to stay in Quarantine, but he did not.
Went to a good hotel, met a lot of other people and started working in a gold mining company.

Now it is confirmed that he has Covid19 and did not stay in quarantine....

Big problem now for European travellers.

In Osh south Kyrgyzstan live is as normal as it gets. KG Gov did a new banning on 12 countries just recently for a period of time but this is more ore less focused on fly in passenger which may come directly from the related countries.

The problem for KG businesses like yours is that lots of western countries are locking their citizens down, airlines won't fly virtually empty aeroplanes and (at the moment) Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have closed their land- and air-borders to citizens of many countries (even if they haven't been in their home country for a year or more).

I hope things calm down soon for your and everybody else's sake.

(We had a coffee together in Osh last August when I visited your place).

Turkey for now also closed it's borders as Ukraïne, seems it get's hard to get out of Europe.
I'm in doubt if I will go ahead with my Stan's trip this year.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-c...ntries/1765711
https://ukranews.com/en/news/689816-...rs-for-2-weeks

A quick update here.
Game over as far as I am concerned.
Poland where I am ( I've been cycling from France and I was due to head east towards Central Asia via Belarus, the Baltic States and Russia ) has decided to close its land borders and has just cancelled all international air and train links to the outside world. It is even unclear whether I can LEAVE the country by road and head back home. I am taking a train to the German border tomorrow and I hope I can cross it ( legally ) on Monday.
Good luck to all !

Russia Covid-19
 

Hi
Could anybody help with advise for this situation.
I had left my New Zealand registered vehicle in storage in Russia in October 2019 to travel back to NZ and was planning to fly back to Russia in May 2020 to collect my Lancruiser and cross out of Russia back into the EU Obviously with the disruption to flights I’m not sure when it will be possible to fly back to Russia.

What is longest period could I leave the vehicle in Russia for before I start running into issues with Russian Customs when I get to depart Russia again.

I’m sure there are other travelers with a similar issue?

Keep Safe
Ray

I'd start with the Russian Embassy in NZ. Obviously lots of people will be in this situation or similar. So far we have heard that Customs are very accommodating. If the country is closed they don't WANT YOU, so it's THEIR decision not to allow you in therefore they should give you an extension as needed. :)

imho of course... ;)

Russia border
 

Hi
Thanks for quick reply!
I will make contact with the Embassy as suggested
Regards
Ray

Update Kyrgyzstan & Kazachstan
 

Hi Riders

Here a quick update on the situation in parts of Central Asia.
Kyrgyzstan extended is emergency state from the 15. April to 30. April. But in addition the cure few for the nights are reduced in schedule. Kazachstan is 1.May aiming to find back to normal. In general www.24.kg is a helpfull up to date source for the topic of the thread.

https://24.kg/english/150094_State_o...ally_extended/

https://24.kg/english/150128_Kazakhs...y_until_May_1/

Just for your information, I am also updating at my FB page about our current state which may be an indicator for how it is in South Kyrgyzstan. Due to the rules of Horizon I do not post a direct link here hence could be understood as sales post...
I am also in contact with the Swiss Embassy in Bishkek and will receive updates which I may publish if needed.

Take care and take courage, the season will still come and the mountains and hills in Central Asia are eagerly waiting for some tires to bite the dust!

Regards, Dave

Arriving in Japan
 

Its been a couple of weeks now, Japan is closed. This includes the ferries to NKorea and Russia.

https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html

Bummer, have plane tickets to return on 15 May and recover our bikes to continue our RTW. Guess we remain on standby.

Big shoutout to our new friend,Pete, for storing our bikes. Thanks mate.

Chris

Look for the date on the barcoded sticker attached to your cutoms declaration / photocopy of registration document. Most likely 1 year after entering, or the expiry date of your visa.

EO

On the HU FB group a few days ago a reputable user from this forum posted that Kazakhstan has stopped allowing 30 day visa free travel until at least 01November2020. They're also not issuing visas to anyone apparently.

https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_new...antsev-399189/

Getting from anywhere to anywhere in the Stans, Siberia and Mongolia without crossing KZ is tricky.

Yes, officially here :

https://primeminister.kz/ru/decisions/17042020-220

L.

News from Belarus : the quarantine requirement for all incoming foreigners was supposedly waived starting yesterday. But one will have to show a valid Covid-free certificate upon entry.

Yesterday I heard on the radio that Russia may reopen at least some of its borders " soon ". I can't get confirmation of this piece of " news ". Does anyone know more ?

I may resume my ride eastwards from Poland in July if the lights turn green :cool4:

L.

Borders Opening Up Again
 

Hi Levelo

This is great news!! If you get any more updates with Russian Borders opening up could you please post a update as Im keen to get back to Russia to relocate my Landcruiser in August

What is the protocol required for a Corona Virus free certificate?

Safe Travels
Ray

Thanks EO
yes my vehicle is ok to stay in Russia till 15/09/20 so not sure what will happen if I exit after this date?

Regards
ray

Hey Ray,

I am in touch with a couple of nice Belarusian fellows, they are keeping me abreast of the new developments east of Schengen.

I will post here when I know more.

The certificate needed to enter Belarus should be done no more than 48 hours before entry. It is not the blood test type, but the " lighter " oral one.
I suppose I could have it done in any of the large Polish towns close to the border.
But first I'll need to reapply for a visa. Not sure if I can get a new one.

My Russian visa is valid for one year, good for a 3 month stay.

Cheers,

L.

Thanks for update!! Please keep in touch!
I will be coming from Russia into Belarus so fingers crossed all works ok for both of us
Ray

Well, I am about to throw in the towel for 2020.

Paid a visit to the kind staff at my visa agency yesterday. They have no idea whatsoever as to when or if Russia may reopen in the coming weeks. And if it does coming back to Western Europe in the fall may prove difficult in case the much talked-about second wave hits us.

My Belarusian friends believe Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan will reopen their common borders soon, though, and that citizens from these countries will be able to travel pretty freely in their " commonwealth ".

These are unstable times. Estonia and Latvia have just decided to quarantine incoming Poles again ( and most likely people transiting through Poland to get there ).

L.

Lets start with... what was the date on your temporary import permit? The date it expires?

I have the same problem,i left my motorbike in Barnaul the last year in June,and my temporary import permit finished this mounth

Good article about Codid Situation in Kyrgyzstan
 

https://eurasianet.org/kyrgyzstans-c...critical-stage

(Thanks to Peter from MuzToo for your attention about such information)

Quick update on the Covid Travel Recomendations
 

Hi Folks,
the pandemic situation in Kyrgyzstan is getting worse. Currently I do not recommend for some travels. Although I hope August will get better.
Anyway, here a small quote out of US Embassy Covid Posts:

"Borders Closures and Quarantines

The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic has announced that while the general ban on the entry of foreigners remains in place, foreign citizens who are the spouse, parent, or child of a Kyrgyz citizen may be permitted entry. However, the government has made no announcements yet about re-opening airports or borders or resumption of commercial flights. U.S. citizens who remain in Kyrgyzstan should prepare to shelter in place until normal commercial flight routes resume. At this time, all travelers who enter Kyrgyzstan may undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing and/or be quarantined up to 14 days in a government facility."

Source: https://kg.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Many thanks for the local update, Dave. I hope things change soon.

Japan

My wife and I left two motorcycles in Japan in the winter of 2019. The TIP (we did not use the CDP) expiration date was scheduled for August of 2020.

I have contacted the MOFA in Japan and requested an extension to my TIP for this exceptional situation of Coronavirus.

The Japanese Customs office have been very responsive to my mails, all drafting in English. They recognise this exceptional situation and have responded positively, at this point all I need to do is fill out a couple of forms and it appears that I can get on one-year extension on my TIP.

Fingers crossed that I can restart my voyage in the spring of 2021.

___
We tell you the result of discussing.

1) Only this time, we exceptionally accept the extension of temporary importation permit by the COVID-19.
2) During the extension period, in spite of the settlement of the COVID-19, if you don't enter Japan and re-export your motorcycles, you must pay the import tax.
3) This accept is exceptional. So, when the COVID-19 situation allows, come back to Japan and re-export your motorcycles earlier than you planed schedule.(as soon as possible)
4) The application for the extension of the temporary importation permit is attached to this mail. So, please record it according to the description example and send to Sakai Customs"kobe-sakaikanshi@customs.go.jp".
5) When you certainly decide to enter Japan, please contact Sakai Customs by E-mail.

If you have any question, please contact Sakai Customs.

Best regards.

good to know , i thaught that you need a cdp for Japan !
merci de l'info !