COVID FREE POLICY IN RUSSIA

COVID FREE POLICY IN RUSSIA 

February, 2022

Please note that the following information is to be used as a guideline only, based on the information currently available. The situation remains fluid, and changes can be introduced at any stage.

General:

• There are still cases of COVID-19 in Russia, however everybody follows the required measures of social distancing. Vaccination process has started – thousands of Russian citizens get vaccinated on a daily basis. From 15^th, June vaccination is compulsory for workers of the service industry in Moscow.
• Russia has resumed commercial flights to and from many destinations globally. When you are in Russia, you need to follow COVID-free policies which we are happy to send you upon request.

Where can I travel to Russia from?

• Citizens of the following countries can fly to Russia:

UK, Belgium, United State of America, China, Finland, Portugal, Italy, Turkey, Switzerland, Egypt, UAE, India, Qatar, Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Cuba, Serbia, Japan, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Greece, Singapore, Venezuela, Germany, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Sri-Lanka, Iceland, Malta, Belarus, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Austria, South Ossetia, Hungary, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Morocco, Croatia, Bulgaria, Jordan, Ireland, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Maldives, Tanzania (flights to Tanzania are temporarily suspended), Albania, France, Czech Republic, Bahrain, Dominican Republic, Moldova, Iraq, Spain, Kenia, Slovakia, Andorra, Denmark, Djibouti, Columbia, Kuwait, New Zealand, Peru, Republic of South Africa, Bahamas, Iran, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Slovenia, Thailand, Tunisia, Sweden, Costa Rica, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Mongolia.

Where can I travel from Russia to?

• Russian borders are open with:

Abkhazia , Austria (only vaccinated travelers , non vaccinated to 10 days of quarantine) , Azerbaijan (only vaccinated travelers) , Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Belarus, Bahamas , Bahrain , Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, United Kingdom (England, Wales), Venezuela, Greece, Georgia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenia, Cyprus, Kyrgyzstan, Colombia, Cuba, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Morocco, Maldives, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, UAE (state Abu Dhabi 10 days of quarantine for non vaccine ), Oman (only vaccinated travelers), Peru, Seychelles, Serbia, United State of America, Tajikistan, Thailand (1 days of quarantine), Tanzania , Tunisia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Montenegro, Croatia, Sri-Lanka, Ethiopia, South Africa, Namibia,  South Ossetia, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Hungary, Finland (till March 13th), Qatar, Costa Rica, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Mongolia, India , Norway,

Saudi Arabia (2 days of quarantine), Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Israel,

Vietnam (only vaccinated travelers and who have been ill without vaccination)

Do I need to go into quarantine when arriving to Russia?

• There is no requirement to quarantine when arriving to Russia.

Are COVID-19 tests required to travel to Russia?

Anyone travelling to Russia will be required to present:

• Negative PCR test for non-Russian citizens, no older than 48 hours when boarding a plane.

Can I take get tested for COVID-19 in a hotel or at the airport in Russia?

• Yes, we can provide the mobile laboratory service. The medical team can come to your hotel and carry out the testing. The price starts from 30 euros per person (Group rate), FIT from 65 EUR per person.
• You can also get tested directly at the airport. RUSMICE can pre-book this service for you in advance, so that you won’t have to wait. The price starts from 40 euros per person.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET A POSITIVE RESULT FOR A CORONAVIRUS INFECTION?

• It is necessary to observe isolation at the place of your stay during.

7 calendar days from the date of receiving a positive result for coronavirus infection.

If you are feeling unwell, you should seek help from a medical institution.

Before the trip, it is recommended to find out from your insurance company the contacts of partner medical institutions in Russia, as well as the algorithm for seeking medical help in these institutions.

Do I need to wear a face mask in Russia?

• People are required to wear masks in public spaces.

Is public transportation operating in Russia?

• Public transport (including underground) is running with social distance measures in place.
• It is compulsory to wear masks in public transport.

Can I dine in a restaurant in Russia?

• Restaurants in Moscow operate without any restrictions.
• In St.Petersburg restaurants are allowed to be open from 6:00 to 02:00. A QR code and passport are required to visit the restaurant. For foreigners – national vaccination and passport / ID card. Some restaurants also accept a negative PCR test not older than 48 hours.
• Visitors are required to wear face masks and gloves when entering a restaurant. However, they don’t need it once they are seated.
• All staff wear masks and gloves. All surfaces are disinfected regularly.

Are bars and nightclubs open in Russia?

• Bars and nightclubs in Moscow operate without any restrictions.
• In St.Petersburg bars and nightclubs now operate, QR codes are required.

Are events allowed in Russia?

• All kind of events and entertainment shows are allowed in nightclubs, bars, discos, karaoke clubs, bowling clubs and karting centers in Moscow.
• In St. Petersburg public events for less than 40 pax are allowed for those who present a QR code. Events for over 40 pax are temporarily prohibited.
• In St. Petersburg access to exhibitions and sport events of more than 40 people is available only for those visitors who present a QR code.
• Exhibitions, cultural, educational and promotional events (including museums, expo centers, libraries, lectures and trainings), leisure and entertainment activities are allowed only in case their capacity is not over 500 people. Sport events and competitions are allowed.

Are businesses and attractions open in Russia?

• All the businesses are open: Parks/ Stores/ Malls/ Beauty Salons/ summer terraces / Fitness studios/Cinemas/Theaters.

• In St. Petersburg and it is necessary to present a QR code in stores, malls, beauty salons/ fitness studios, сinemas, theaters.

• Many businesses still work remotely. It is required to have 30% of the employees (and every employee over 60 years old) working from home. Primary, secondary schools, universities and colleges are open.

What do hotels in Russia do to provide COVID free environment?

• Hotels staff is obliged to wear masks all the time while being in the hotel.
• All staff members have contactless temperature checks twice a day and wear protective masks while in the hotel.
• All spaces and frequent-contact surfaces (elevator buttons, door handles, and staircase banisters) are sanitized regularly several times a day.
• Antiseptic gels are at disposal.
• In most hotels reception desks are equipped with protective Plexiglas screens to minimize contact.
• Most 5* properties provide gloves/masks/antiseptic gels for guests.
• All ventilation systems are frequently checked and sanitized, the air filters are replaced regularly.
• Hotels prepared special set up plans for conferences in accordance with social distancing.

*we can send you more detailed information regarding COVID free policy at hotels depending on the hotel chosen.

Can I visit touristic sites in Russia?

• Museums and exhibitions in Moscow are open for group and individual visits upon presenting a QR-code (only Russian vaccines are valid) and a PCR test not older than 48 hours. Social distancing of 1.5 meters is required. The Moscow Kremlin accepts PCR tests not older than 24 hours.
• To visit museums in Saint Petersburg it is required to present printed negative PCR-test not older than 24 hours, except for Isaac’s Cathedral, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Peter and Paul Fortress – a QR code (only Russian vaccines are valid) must be presented, Yusupov Palace – a national vaccination certificate and negative PCR-test not older than 24 hours. The Hermitage Museum accepts PCR tests not older than 48 hours.

Visiting museums by organized children’s groups is temporarily prohibited.

• Theatres, cinemas, concert halls in Moscow and Saint-Petersburg operate upon 70% occupancy (Saint Petersburg cinemas – 75%) (but not more than 1500 people in St. Petersburg).
• Theatres in Saint Petersburg require to present a national vaccination certificate and negative PCR-test not older than 24 hours.
• Special routes are organized for visitors of museums to avoid meeting of several groups at the same place.
• Streams of visitors are guided to different directions at the entrance by the staff.
• Visitors must follow social distance (special lines and stickers for both employees and visitors) and wear masks.
• Staff members wear masks.
• Antiseptic gels are at disposal.

What other safety measures and sanitary initiatives are taken in Russia?

• It is required to wear masks in all public places like metro, pharmacies, supermarkets, etc.
• Staff members of shops/supermarkets wear masks and all the spaces are disinfected regularly.

What safety measures do RUSMICE and our suppliers take to provide COVID free environment?

• Please kindly refer to the file attached with detailed descriptions of all the measures and initiatives taken.