Russia from August 1 resumes international flights, suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. This was announced by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during a government meeting.
The head of government noted that the Cabinet of Ministers made such a decision based on the epidemiological situation, incidence rates and the principles of reciprocity.
“From August 1, flights will be operated from the airports of Moscow, the Moscow Region, St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don,” Mishustin said.
As Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova clarified, the authorities decided to take such a step, since for a long time in Russia the growth rate of the number of new cases of coronavirus infection has been decreasing.
She recalled that 10 days ago, the authorities developed criteria according to which it is possible to resume air traffic with foreign states on a reciprocal basis. In particular, the country should have no more than 40 new cases of COVID-19 within 14 days per 100 thousand population. In addition, the daily increase in new cases over the same period should not exceed 1%, and the spread of coronavirus in seven days should be no more than one.
Golikova stressed that at the moment, flights will be carried out only to three countries. She noted that the authorities are taking this step very carefully in order to avoid the appearance of new imported cases on the territory of the Russian Federation.
“From August 1, 2020, the Russian Federation will resume air communication with Great Britain on a reciprocal basis. I want to say right away that this is the capital of Great Britain - London, and remind you that Great Britain did not close borders, but for all those who arrive in Great Britain, according to the country's requirements, a 14-day quarantine is required, "Golikova said on the air of the Russia 24 TV channel. ".
Flights to Turkey will also become possible, with flights to Ankara and Istanbul starting from August 1, and to the resort cities of Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman from August 10.
The third country will be Tanzania, or rather the Zanzibar archipelago.
“This is a tourist route, which was also popular with a certain category of our citizens, and the corresponding air communication is also being resumed here,” the Deputy Prime Minister explained.
- Tourists on the beach in Turkey
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- © Vladimir Vyatkin
Golikova recalled that foreign citizens must take a test for coronavirus infection 72 hours before flying to the Russian Federation. Russians returning home can take such a test within three days already on the territory of the Russian Federation.
She confirmed that the restoration of regular flights is planned from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don.
"For these cities, the restrictions that were previously applied for arrival are canceled: 500 (people) to the Moscow transport hub per day and 200 to regional cities," the Deputy Prime Minister explained.
The operational headquarters weekly monitors the situation with coronavirus infection and is working to expand the list of countries with which air traffic can be resumed, she added.
In turn, the Federal Air Transport Agency reported that they would notify airlines and airports of the corresponding decision, as well as inform the aviation authorities of the relevant foreign states.
Meanwhile, the news of the imminent resumption of flights was reacted at the Tanzanian Embassy in Moscow.
“This is good news. We opened our borders at the end of May, so we will be glad to see you if you want to go there, ”RIA Novosti quotes a message from the diplomatic mission.
The embassy noted that there is a calm situation with the coronavirus in the country, however, they recalled the need to wear masks and maintain social distance.
Recall that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Russian government announced the termination of regular and charter flights with other countries from March 27. The exceptions were flights organized to return Russians from abroad, and individual flights on behalf of the government.
On July 10, the Federal Air Transport Agency reported that they had developed a scheme for the phased restoration of air traffic.
On July 15, a number of Turkish media outlets, citing the Ministry of Transport of the republic, reported that Moscow and Ankara had agreed to resume flights.
The press secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov said that Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed this issue during a telephone conversation, after which the relevant departments were instructed to start negotiations.