Russia to Resume International Flights

Russia will officially be reopening its borders for international tourism beginning on July 15th according to a new government decree, Prague Morning informed.

Russia will no longer require foreigners to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival as the country looks to begin reopening to international tourism.

Those arriving in Russia will need to present English or Russian-language proof that they have tested negative for the coronavirus in the past 72 hours to be allowed entry.

Interfax has published a list of thirteen countries with which Russia could resume flights in the near future. In addition to China and Vietnam, the list includes seven European countries – such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy.

The Czech Republic is not mentioned in the list, yet. However, Aeroflot and its subsidiary Rossija have been offering two-way flights between Prague and Moscow since August 1.

According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Golikova, the government will evaluate the epidemiological situation in individual countries every two weeks. The main criterion will be the number of infected: it should not exceed 40 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The average daily increase in the number of people infected and the rate of spread of the disease in such states should not exceed one percent.

According to Golikova, reopening of flight routes would be based on the principle of reciprocity, ie to countries that already allow Russian citizens to enter (for example, Croatia).

Russia fully closed air service with other countries, except flights to bring back Russian nationals, freight and mail carriage flights, at the end of March on the back of the coronavirus pandemic. Regular and charter international flights have been fully suspended since March 27.

The epidemiological situation in Russia is gradually improving.