COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Belarus (20 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Foreigners are allowed to enter the country through Airport only. Entry through land borders is temporarily suspended except for foreign citizens and stateless persons who have a permanent/temporary residence permit in Belarus.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Transit for foreigners is possible only if they arrive in Belarus via air. Travellers can transit through Belarus airside for a maximum period of 24 hours.

• Passengers in transit for more than 24 hours must have a transit document. Without this document, the traveller will be required to present a negative PCR test result performed no later than 72 hours before crossing the border and a completed questionnaire.

• Citizens of the Russian Federation travelling through ground and air checkpoints in transit to Russia are not subject to the restriction on entry to Belarus. They do not need a PCR test and self-isolation.

Test on arrival required?

• No with exceptions

• Citizens of Russia and foreigners arriving in Belarus from the Russian Federation who do not have a temporary/permanent residence permit in Belarus are required to take a PCR test on arrival.

Test certificate required?

• Yes, with exceptions.

• Travellers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR certificate for a test performed within 72 hours before arrival. Passengers younger than 6 years and some other categories of travellers are exempted from this requirement.

• For citizens of the Republic of Belarus and foreigners who have a permit for permanent or temporary residence in Belarus, there are no restrictions on entering the country if they enter through the land border. They are also exempt from the requirement to present a negative PCR test certificate.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes with exceptions

• Unvaccinated travellers arriving from red-listed countries or where cases of COVID-19 infection are registered are required to enter quarantine for 7 days. The list can be found here. However, travellers who are fully vaccinated (the vaccination course must be completed at least 1 month and no more than 12 months before the date of the border crossing) are exempt from quarantine. The vaccination document must indicate the last name, first name, patronymic (if any) of the citizen, the date of the end of the vaccination course (in Belarusian or Russian and (or) English).

• Russian citizens arriving in Belarus from third countries through air checkpoints not for transit must have a certificate with a negative PCR test for COVID-19 infection. 7-day self-isolation is required only for persons arriving from countries included in the List of the Ministry of Health, in which cases of COVID-19 infection are registered.

• Travellers arriving from green zone areas are not required to enter quarantine on arrival. Additional details can be accessed here.

• Foreign travellers are allowed to depart Belarus only after completion of the 7-day self-isolation period.

• Based on the above restrictions, travellers will either be exempted from quarantine or required to enter quarantine for a maximum of 7 days, on arrival in Belarus.

Insurance required?

• Yes

• Travellers must provide valid medical insurance before travelling to Belarus. Travellers will be asked to provide proof of insurance when applying for a visa or when arriving at Minsk airport under the visa-free regime.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• A completed “awareness questionnaire” must be presented upon arrival.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• Flights in and out of Belarus are extremely limited. A number of countries (including all EU member states, the UK and Ukraine) have banned the overflight of their airspace by Belarusian airlines.

• Minsk National Airport is open.

• Domestic flights are operating

Border restrictions

• Significant

• Foreign citizens and stateless persons, except those who have a permanent/temporary residence permit in Belarus and certain categories are not allowed to enter through land borders.

• Citizens are not permitted to depart Belarus unless they have a valid exemption as set out by authorities. Foreigners can exit Belarus only after completing the 7-day self-isolation period if arriving from any place other than green zone countries.

• Foreigners arriving in Belarus at the invitation of legal entities registered in Belarus are allowed to pass through the state border if there is a written invitation or a paper copy. In order to avoid problems when crossing the state border, foreigners are advised to present documents confirming the purpose of the trip translated into one of the state languages of Belarus (Belarusian, Russian). The authenticity of the translation or the authenticity of the signature of the translator of the document must be attested by a notary or other official who has the right to perform such a notary act.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• No curfew is in place.

Social restrictions

• Minimal

• Belarus has not implemented strict COVID-19 containment measures.

• The public has been advised to observe social distancing, carry out disinfection, and adopt other preventive measures against the spread of the virus.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Masks are required on public transport in Minsk and all districts of the Grodno and Brest regions.

• No restrictions are currently in place. Public and private transportation services are operating.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• All essential and non-essential shops are open.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars and cafes are open.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Belarus is open for tourism.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums and heritage sites are open.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Hairdressers and beauty salons must operate by appointment.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship are open with adherence to health protocols.

Events allowed?

• No

• Large events, exhibitions, and fairs have been suspended.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are required in public places.

Other

• Cinema halls are open.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.