Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Chisinau, Moldova (March 4, 2021)

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Chisinau, Moldova (March 4, 2021)

Location: The Republic of Moldova

Event: The U.S. Embassy in Chisinau will provide only emergency ACS services from March 5 to March 19, 2021 due to the worsening COVID situation. If you have questions about American Citizen Services, please visit our website for additional information. You may also email us at: ChisinauACS@state.gov.

The Department of State has issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory for Moldova advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Moldova due to COVID-19.

Effective March 5, 2021, anyone entering Moldova must present a negative COVID test taken within the previous 72 hours. Exceptions include children under the age of five, passengers in transit, and holders of COVID vaccine certificates, among others. Non-Moldovan citizens without a test could be denied entry. Moldovan citizens without tests will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, regardless of the country from which they traveled.

The National Public Health Emergency Commission in Moldova has issued a State of Public Health Emergency across the country until April 15, 2021. Announcements from the Commission and restrictions under the ongoing State of Public Health Emergency are available on the Government of Moldova website. Face-masks are mandatory in all public spaces, including outdoors. Night clubs and other such venues remain closed. Schools are closed until March 15, 2021. All restaurants, bars, and cafes cannot serve food or drink between 22:00 to 07:00 daily. Theaters and concert halls are closed, and sports competitions are currently prohibited. Groups of more than three people are prohibited in public areas. Additional restrictions could be lifted or (re)imposed with little notice.

The Chisinau International Airport is open to commercial flights, but flights are limited; airlines will make independent decisions on service into Chisinau. Passengers should regularly check with your airline or travel agent for the most current information on available flights.

Foreigners coming from “red zone” countries are not permitted into Moldova unless they meet one of the following exceptions: (1) immediate family members of Moldovan citizens; (2) persons having a visa, residency permit, or other document issued by Moldovan authorities; (3) persons traveling for “professional interest” in possession of a visa, residency permit, or other document issued by Moldovan authorities; (4) diplomats accredited to Moldova and members of international organizations and their family members; personnel who can provide humanitarian aid; (5) passengers in transit; and (6) those traveling for medical reasons. The list of “red zone” countries is published by the Ministry of Health and will be updated every two weeks. Effective January 18, 2021, Moldova will admit foreign nationals from red zone countries if they possess documentation demonstrating they have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Questions on entry into Moldova should be directed to the Moldovan Border Police.

Moldova requires a 14-day self-isolation regime (quarantine) for new arrivals from “red zone” countries with some exceptions including asymptomatic individuals delivering goods, crew members, students, people traveling for health care, work related travelers with visas, diplomats accredited in Moldova, and passengers in transit.

The Moldovan Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection announced the first confirmed case of Coronavirus COVID-19 in Chisinau, Moldova on March 7, 2020. As of March 3, 2021, Moldova has more than 189,000 confirmed cases.

Actions to Take:

Monitor the CDC website for latest guidance regarding testing requirements.
Check with your air carriers or travel representative prior to departure for the United States.
Check COVID-19 Country Specific Information updated information on COVID-19 related information including availability of testing.
Visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Click here for our COVID FAQs Search Tool.
Read all orders from the Moldovan National Public Health Emergency Commission in Romanian language here.