Fearing Coronavirus, Abkhazia Extends Travel Ban on Foreigners Except Russians

On February 25, acting ‘president’ of Abkhazia Valery Bganba extended a ban which bars foreign nationals from entering the occupied region. Travel restrictions were first imposed on January 27 in connection with the outbreak of coronavirus in China. The ban excludes nationals of the Russian Federation.

The decision to prolong the ban was voiced during a cabinet meeting which was held to discuss Sokhumi’s response to the rapidly spreading infection. Bganba tasked cabinet members to implement containment measures to prevent the novel virus from spreading in Abkhazia. “We closely monitor the epidemic outbreak and take steps to enhance quarantine control at the crossing checkpoints on river Enguri”, stated Tamaz Tsakhnakia, Abkhaz ”minister” of health and welfare.

According to Moscow-backed Abkhaz leadership, travel ban on foreign nationals will expire on April 7.

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