Since the first COVID-19 case was detected in Mongolia on 9 March, as of 2 April the total number of confirmed cases in the country has reached 14, after two Turkish nationals ( family members of Turkish Embassy staff in Mongolia) recently tested positive. Eleven of these cases are Mongolian nationals who returned home on charter flights from countries affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, as a result of the Mongolian government’s determination to repatriate its nationals from high-risk countries. It is reported that all these patients are currently in stable condition. Two COVID-19 patients who are the first to have made a recovery have now been discharged. They are required to self-isolate at home for two more weeks for further observation. The National Emergency Commission (NEC) reported that on 2 April, 2171 patients are under observation nationwide, since they are known contacts of people who have developed the infection.
Marking World Doctors’ Day on 30 March, Mongolia’s Health Minister D. Sarangerel sent flowers to these two patients as well as to doctors and health professionals who have been working selflessly to fight the virus.
Mongolia has resumed exporting coal to China through three of its checkpoints; Zamyn Uud, starting from 5 March; Gashuun Suhait from 23 March, and Shiveehuren from 30 March. Transit is only allowed for drivers with fully protective clothing.
All freight services remain unaffected, preventing food shortages throughout the country.
Upon arrival at the border, all imported goods undergo disinfection.
According to Montsame news agency, in a 25 March address to all his citizens, President Kh. Battulga expressed concern about the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Mongolia’s economy and business. He proposed postponing the upcoming election (planned for 24 June) in order to save resources, and promised to provide support to production facilities, SMEs and self-employed people whose business are affected by the epidemic. In particular, he encouraged people to remain disciplined, organised and to cooperate with the government so as to get through the current hardship.
The Ministry of Health underlined the importance of paying attention to mental health and self-development, regular exercise and nutritious diet. The Ministry also reported that from 30 March, 1024 final-year medical and nursing students had begun joining the medical support force.
All schools and nurseries remain closed until further notice.
According to the Mongolian airline (MIAT) all international flights will remain suspended until 30 April.
As of 26 March, more than 1000 Mongolian nationals have been repatriated and the government is planning to repatriate 750 more on charter planes from Seoul on 2 and 4 April and from Tokyo on 3 April. Many believe that Mongolia’s policy of bringing nationals home has been more impressive than that of several other countries.
According to the NEC on 26 March, the isolation period for suspected cases has been extended to 21 days from 14. Those in isolation will stay in designated hotels and will be charged a set rate per night.
Social media messaging shows that Mongolians express a mixture of understanding and worries about infection brought home by travellers from abroad.
In this strange and uncertain time, it is understandable that Mongolian nationals abroad have decided that it would be better to return to their native country where the situation seems to be under control, and necessary measures are being implemented. No doubt those have been repatriated feel much safer at home than remaining in over-populated foreign countries where healthcare infrastructures are challenged and overstretched by patients infected by the COVID-19 virus.
As a Mongolian national based in the UK, I have felt growing concern at the ever-increasing numbers of deaths and cases of infection in Britain. I cannot but notice significant differences between the UK and Mongolian handling of the virus outbreak. Observing the different approaches used throughout Europe, it has seemed to me that the initially laid-back methods adopted in Britain, my second homeland, have been somewhat irresponsible.
Some mornings I wake up full of longings to be back in my birthplace in northern Mongolia.
During my childhood I spent lots of time with my grandparents who, as pastoral nomads, were deeply rooted in traditional culture. Half of today’s Mongolian population now live in the capital, very close to one another. But most people in the country still live widely dispersed in open landscapes and fresh air. Particularly in the winter, many nomad families pass the time virtually in isolation, which looks ideal in these difficult days.
From my earliest years, before the 1990s, I remember occasional winter flu seasons when quarantines were declared and occasionally lasted as long as three weeks or even a month. At this time, government action was often decisive and firm. Schools and nurseries in the cities, in towns and even in small isolated villages immediately shut, and nationwide rules were strictly adhered to. Fortunately, it seems that this has not changed and the same approach is still successfully applied, and welcomed by many. Of course, every country’s situation is different; and who knows how matters might develop in the future!
Image: Namsrai Henderson
Very interesting information! Do you know if there is extensive testing and contact tracing planned or in operation?