Coronavirus in Russia: Weekly Updates

Your safety while travelling in Russia is a priority for our company. Though the coronavirus has not spread in Russia, we would like to keep you informed on any legislation, recommendations and restrictions that could affect your time in Russia. Thankfully, the tone has so far been mostly positive and we hope there will be nothing but good news to report on!

Recommendations to Russian tour operators and travel agents:

Temporarily suspend the formation and sale of tourist products, as well as individual travel services to the Italian Republic, the Republic of Korea and the Islamic Republic of Iran, until the stabilization of the epidemiological situation in these countries

Recommendations to the Ministry of Transport:

From March, 13:

Temporarily suspend the entry of foreign citizens from the territory of Italy. This does not apply to passengers who reside in Russia, to airline crews, to official delegations and to the citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

Temporarily restrict passenger air transportation to and from Italy, Germany,  Spain and France, with the exception of Moscow - Rome (and back), Moscow - Berlin (and back), Moscow - Munich (and back), Moscow - Frankfurt am Main (and back), Moscow - Madrid (and back), Moscow - Barcelona (and back), Moscow - Paris (and back) regular flights operated via Sheremetyevo International Airport (terminal F) and charter flights transporting foreign citizens to their home countries and Russian citizens to Russia.

From March 15:

Temporarily suspend the entry of foreign citizens through Russia-Poland and Russia-Norway land borders. This does not apply to passengers who reside in Russia, to official delegations and to the citizens of Belarus.

From March 16:

Temporarily restrict passenger air transportation to and from EU, Switzerland and Norway, with the exception of Moscow - Capital City (and back) regular flights operated via Sheremetyevo International Airport (terminal F) and charter flights transporting foreign citizens to their home countries and Russian citizens to Russia.

From March 18:

Temporarily suspend the entry of foreign citizens to the territory of Russian Federation. This rule does not apply to official delegations, airline, railroad, sea and river vessels crews, international car drivers, to passengers who reside in Russia and to transit passengers.

From March 20:

Temporarily restrict passenger air transportation to and from the UK, the USA and the UAE with the exception of Moscow - London (and back), Moscow - New York (and back) and Moscow - Abu Dhabi (and back) regular flights operated via Sheremetyevo International Airport (terminal F) and charter flights transporting foreign citizens to their home countries and Russian citizens to Russia.

Recommendations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

From March 18:

Temporarily suspend issuing visa invitations and Russian visas of all types for all foreign citizens.

Recommendations to International airport check points:

• Increase sanitary control at airport checkpoints accepting flights from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Korea, and the Italian Republic;
• Organize testing procedures for coronavirus for passengers arriving from the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea at airport checkpoints. Send the tests to the Federal Health Care Institutions of the Russian Federation.
• Passengers who arrive from China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea or Spain and plan to stay in Moscow must report to the authorities using a special hotline phone number and are required to self-quarantine in Moscow for a period of 14 days.

General recommendations:

• Avoid visiting public places: shopping centers, sports and entertainment events, transport during rush hour;
• Use disposable medical masks in public places, changing the mask every 2-3 hours;
• Avoid close contact with people who have visible signs of SARS (coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and noses);
• After visiting public places, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and/or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Disinfect gadgets, office equipment, and the surfaces that you touch;
• Limit hugs and handshakes when greeting;
• Use only your own personal hygiene items (towel, toothbrush).

Photo by @fusion_medical_animation