On December 30, 2020, the representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in the Republic of Moldova visited Chisinau International Airport in order to conduct the Global Survey - Impact of COVID-19 at Border Crossing Points, Immigration and Border Management Module. In the context of the current crises of public health and human mobility, data from Points of Entry (PoE) are crucial for improving the national capacity to respond to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, in this sense being selected six border crossing points that according to Government Decision no. 531 from 03.07.2014 are recognized as being of strategic importance.

The survey will address a number of key issues regarding the degree of preparedness and measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic when crossing the state border, including operational and technical capabilities, inter-institutional cooperation at the level of PoEs, particularly with health authorities, and preparedness in terms of Standard Operating Procedures, equipment, logistics and more. The Immigration and Border Management module of the Global Survey aims to support national border and immigration management authorities in analysing and assessing the needs for PoEs considered a priority, developing evidence-based interventions, while contributing to the global and regional PoEs data analysis.

The survey is conducted by monthly data collection and completion of a questionnaire by qualified staff of IOM with the support of delegated staff from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova and the General Inspectorate of Border Police. Thus, IOM intends to intensify the ongoing support provided to IGPF, in order to respond effectively to the public health risks related to the spread of COVID-19 infection throughout the country.