U.S. warns citizens against travel to Armenia, Karabakh amid Covid, conflict

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Department of State has advised American citizens against traveling to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), both due to Covid-19 and the post-war situation in the region. A similar warning was come from the Embassy of Poland in Yerevan.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Armenia due to Covid-19, indicating "a very high level of Covid-19" in the country. There are restrictions in place affecting U.S. citizen entry into Armenia.

Effective March 23, 2020, U.S. Embassy Yerevan has suspended routine consular services and most visa services are suspended until further notice. The Embassy in Yerevan remains open and is providing routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens.

U.S. citizens were also urged to not travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories due to recent hostilities.

"Casualties continue to occur following intensive fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that occurred in the fall 2020. The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in and around Nagorno-Karabakh as access is restricted," the advisory said.

"Exercise caution on roads near Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan. Be aware that some portions of the road may cross international boundaries without notice. Roads may be controlled by checkpoints or closed to travelers without notice."

The Polish Embassy, meanwhile,has asked Polish citizens to avoid traveling to the provinces of Tavush, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik, amid Azerbaijan's incursion into Armenia.

On the morning of May 12, the armed forces of Azerbaijan violated the border of Armenia in the southern province of Syunik, advancing 3.5 kilometers and surrounding Sev Lake, which is situated on the border between the two countries but is predominantly a part of Armenia. On May 13, the Azerbaijani military committed more border violations against Armenia, advancing near Vardenis (Gegharkunik province) and Sisian (Syunik province).