Moldova liberalizes arrival rules for Ukrainians, opens refugee centers

CHISINAU. Feb 25 (Interfax) - Moldova has liberalized arrival rules for Ukrainian citizens, and has started opening refugee distribution centers in the north and the south.

The Commission on the State of Emergency approved the measures on Thursday evening consistent with the powers vested in it by the Moldovan parliament, the government press service said.

Ukrainian citizens will be let into Moldova even if they do not have international travel passports, and the border can be crossed with domestic IDs, the press service said. In addition, Ukrainians do not need a certificate of vaccination for Covid-19 to cross the border. Children will be admitted on the basis of a birth certificate and domestic or international travel passports. Ukrainian vehicles without the green card insurance policy will be allowed to enter Moldova, however, such drivers will be required to buy the policy within 24 hours since their arrival.

Two refugee distribution centers will open in Palanca and Calarasauca, settlements in northern and southern Moldova on the Ukrainian border, and the local authorities will open shelters for refugees.

Humanitarian and urgent medical flights will be allowed in the Moldovan airspace. The commission has compelled Internet providers to block sources spreading fake information harmful for national security.

As the Ukraine situation began to unfold, the Moldovan parliament declared a 60-day state of emergency beginning on February 24. The vote was unanimous by 88 deputies from all parliamentary factions.