Russia, against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, has stopped regular and charter flights with other countries since March 27. The exception were cargo, postal, ambulance and humanitarian flights, aircraft’s maintenance, transit flights with landing for refueling (crew change) on the territory of the Russian Federation and flights which are carried out according to separate decisions of the Russian government.
As of November 1, 2020, Russia resumed regular flights:
- from August 1, to Turkey, Great Britain, Tanzania;
- from August 15, to Switzerland;
- from September 2, to Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the Maldives;
- from September 27, to South Korea;
-from September 21, to Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan;
- from October 15, to Serbia and Cuba;
- from November 1, to Japan.
For citizens of other countries, entry to Russia is still restricted. An exception is made for the citizens mentioned in the order of the government No. 635-P (March, 16), including: diplomats, persons - holders of diplomatic, service or ordinary visas issued in connection with the death of a close relative, as well as holders of ordinary visas issued by the decision of the Russian Foreign Ministry; persons entering the Russian Federation for the purpose of treatment; persons entering the Russian Federation to stay with sick close relatives in need of care.
In addition, a new version of the Resolutions of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation No. 7 of 18.03.2020 "On ensuring the isolation regime in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19" and No. 9 of 30.03.2020 "On additional measures to preventing the spread of COVID-2019” came into force since 01.08.2020. There is a need for foreign citizens and stateless persons, when boarding on aircraft flying to a destination in the territory of the Russian Federation, including transit flight, to have a medical document (in Russian or English) confirming a negative laboratory PCR test for COVID-19. The test must be made no earlier than three days before arrival in the Russian Federation.
If it is impossible to present a medical document in Russian or English, it is allowed to present it in the official language of the state issued such a medical document, with a translation into Russian, the loyalty of translation of which is certified by a consular officer of the Russian Federation.
Also, before arriving on the territory of the Russian Federation foreign citizens must fill out a special form of a person who arrives in the territory of the Russian Federation - the recommended sample is published on the official website of Rospotrebnadzor (Russian Agency for Health and Consumer Rights): "The form for persons arriving by air flights to cross the border of Russia". The form must be presented at the point of arrival.
