Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Chisinau, Moldova [March 17, 2020]

Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Chisinau, Moldova [March 17, 2020]

Location: Republic of Moldova

Event: Potential evacuation of U.S. citizens in Moldova affected by COVID-19

On March 15, the Department of State issued a global authorized departure of non-essential personnel and family members from any diplomatic or consular post worldwide if they are determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19). On March 16, 2020, the U.S. Peace Corps ordered its personnel to depart Moldova for the United States.

A special chartered flight is being arranged to tentatively leave Chisinau International Airport on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at approximately 6 p.m. to Dulles, Virginia via an international routing. The departure time and routing are subject to change.

There will be limited space available for U.S. citizens on this plane. All private passengers will need to reimburse the U.S. Government for the flight, and a promissory note for approximately $800 must be signed before boarding. Private citizens will be responsible for any arrangements or costs (lodging, onward destination or local transportation, etc.) beyond Dulles, Virginia.

The Moldovan Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Chisinau, Moldova on March 7, 2020. As of March 17, Moldova has a total of 29 confirmed cases, including cases of person to person transmission. Moldova has suspended all air traffic until April 1, 2020, at the earliest. All commercial flights, passenger rail, and auto traffic into and out of Moldova are suspended during this time period.

The U.S. Embassy in Chisinau is making this flight information available to potentially interested U.S. citizens and is liaising with the Moldovan government to facilitate travel information for individual private U.S. citizens and their families who decide to use this opportunity to leave. If you are unable to take this flight but are interested in any future flights, please inform the Embassy by email via the information below and we will contact you.

United States citizens interested in departing on this flight and who are in possession of a valid passport should contact Chisinau-CA@state.gov. There is no need to call the Embassy to confirm receipt of your email; you will be contacted. In your email please provide the following:

Full name
U.S. passport number
Date of birth
Gender
Email address
Phone number
A photograph of the biographical information page of your passport

United States citizens without a valid passport but who wish to express interest in the flight should send the above information and refer to their most recent expired passport. If you do not have a valid passport you should clearly indicate this in your email. You will be contacted with information on how to obtain an emergency passport.

Individuals who avail themselves of this transport will be subject to entry and exit and health requirements at the plane’s arrival countries. In the United States, passengers may be subject to CDC screening, health observation, and monitoring requirements upon reentry to the United States. For additional questions, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Information for Travel page.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 3 Health Advisory advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad due to the global impact of COVID-19.

Actions to Take:

Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information
Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Moldova.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Please visit the website of the Moldovan Ministry of Health, Labor, and Social Protection for additional information.