Mongolia is effectively protecting its citizens from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is demonstrated by the fact that the country only has 16 cases of the infection – all imported. For example, the country of three million inhabitants closed its borders with China, the epicenter of coronavirus infection early in February; in March it closed all schools, kindergartens, universities and nearly 6000 enterprises as well as banning public events even traditional Lunar New Year Celebration (Tsagaan Sar). During the time of Tsagaan Sar, the unprecedented step was taken of closing the nation’s roads to the capital, Ulaanbaatar.

At present, Mongolian mobile operators are delivering short messages with advice against COVID-19 by the Health Ministry free of charge. According to the Head of the Communications and Information Technology Authority B.Chinbat, the mobile phone operators sent have sent 184.4 million SMS’s worth MNT 3.7 billion and discounted their international call rate to MNT 70.

TV lessons for students have been made available on IPTV platforms free of charge, the public is enjoying movie packages at discount prices  amid the heightened state of readiness.

Mr.Chinbat also said that a new portal will be created to allow students to receive free online lessons and a mobile application will be introduced to provide information on situations of COVID-19 pandemic and precautionary measures.