Entry Requirements to Artsakh Tightened

The Minister of State of the Republic of Artsakh, Grigori Martirosyan, has signed a new decision that tightens the entry requirements for the Republic of Artsakh. This information has been reported by the Artsakh Information Headquarters.

From now on, the following procedure applies for citizens of the Republic of Artsakh wishing to enter:

Citizens must present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result, not older than three days, to the specialists of the Ministry of Health at the checkpoint when crossing the border. If a citizen does not present the test result at the checkpoint, employees of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Artsakh will conduct PCR testing on a paid basis on-site.

If the test result is negative, or if the test is not presented, individuals must undergo self-isolation after testing. This requirement excludes drivers and escorts of transport vehicles engaged in freight transportation. In cases where the test result is positive, hospitalization or other restrictive measures will be applied.

Exceptions to the mandatory testing requirement are made for children under six years of age, drivers and escorts of transport vehicles for freight transportation, personnel of the armed forces based on the needs of the Defense Army, and in exceptional cases as instructed by the Minister of State.

The cost of the PCR test will be partially subsidized by the government, resulting in a fee of 7,000 drams.

For citizens of Armenia or foreign nationals, entry to the Republic of Artsakh is permitted only upon meeting the conditions set forth in decision No. 1 by the Minister of State, obtaining permission to enter the territory of Artsakh, and presenting a negative PCR test result not older than three days at the border checkpoint.

Exceptions to the mandatory presentation of a negative PCR test result include drivers and escorts of transport vehicles for freight transportation, individuals engaged in agricultural work, and close relatives of the deceased participating in mourning or burial ceremonies—including parents, spouses, children, siblings of the deceased—as well as personnel of the armed forces based on Defense Army needs, and in exceptional cases as instructed by the Minister of State.

Entry to the territory of Artsakh is prohibited for individuals who do not present a test result, whose test result is positive, or who exhibit symptoms of infection during special inspections.

As for citizens of Armenia or foreign nationals, PCR testing (sampling) at the Artsakh border checkpoint is currently not being conducted due to the limited capabilities of the local laboratory.