The Mongolian Government has decided to change from a state of advanced emergency readiness (third degree emergency situation) to one of public emergency readiness (second degree emergency situation) nationwide for five days from 12-17 November. The cabinet held an emergency meeting yesterday night at 10.00 p.m. after a local truck driver and his family members tested positive for coronavirus. The truck driver was confirmed positive after completing 21 days of mandatory isolation. Before he was confirmed as having infection, he and his family members had watched a concert at the UB Palace – this is a large public venue in the west of Ulaanbaatar; potentially the consequences could be disastrous.

During the second–degree emergency period, people are banned from leaving home unless it is for vital needs such as buying food or attending funerals. In addition, public transportation will only run in the morning from 07.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and in the evening from 5.00 p.m.to 9.00 p.m. Most employees will work from home; however, energy, health workers, media, food production plants and supermarket staff will work regular hours.

If the situation worsens, the Government will impose a state of national emergency situation (first degree). Mongolia first announced a state of advanced emergency readiness and preparation in late January after the Covid-19 pandemic started with in Wuhan, China. Since then, the Government has extended the period of the advanced emergency readiness and preparation multiple times. As a result of these prompt and strict measures, until very recently there have been no local transmissions and to date, no deaths.