That’s a constantly updated post on what’s going on in Russia relative to the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are monitoring media to keep you informed about the number of people tested positive, regions affected, and prevention and quarantine measures taken by authorities. At the moment (April 2021), Russian borders are closed for tourists with some exceptions, air travel significantly restricted.
What’s Going On With Covid In Russia Now
On April 25, 2021:
? tested 127.8 million
— total: 4 762 569
— today: 8 780
— recovered: 4 388 008
? deaths: 108 232
No self-isolation regime or lockdown in any Russian region or city.
Nearly all the regions have enacted restrictions to limit entertainment.
Many schools and universities are working online only.
As of August 1, 2020, citizens of three countries can fly in Russia without restrictions: Turkey, UK, and Tanzania. Russian citizens can freely travel to these countries too. All other routes, flights, and railway and coach trips to other countries can be conducted by a rather short list of passengers eligible for that, i. e. diplomatic servants.
As of January 27, 2021, Russia opened its borders to Qatar, Finland, Vietnam, and India. This applies to only air travelers. All the flights will be between the capitals of these countries and Moscow. With Finland, St. Petersburg will also be added.
Since late September 2020, Russia has been facing a massive second wave of Covid which seems to be much more powerful than the first one. Almost every day brings a new historic high in positive cases, though, this may happen due to an extensive network of testing. The wave is predicted to last till summer 2021.
Throughout the country travel is not restricted, all flights, railway, and coach trips are conducted as in the pre-COVID times.
Wearing a mask is mandatory in any transport, venue, shop, etc. In street, no mask is required.
Requirements For Foreigners Arriving In Russia
If you are not a Russian citizen and come to Russia you should comply with the following requirements:
— have a negative covid test taken no earlier than three days before the arrival;
— in case you don’t have this test, you should have it taken within three days after the arrival;
— you fill in an application either in Russian or in English while onboard;
— your airline may deny you access to the plane in case you don’t have a negative covid test (contact your airline before travel).
Vaccination Against COVID-19 In Russia
Vaccination for some groups of professions started in Russia in December 2020. On January 18, 2021, a mass vaccination started across the country.
At the moment, Russia has approved three vaccines — EpiVacCorona, KoviVak, and Sputnik V.
All vaccines have gone through only two phases of clinical trials. Formally, it’s the third phase underway now. Sputnik V is reported to be 92 percent effective, EpiVacCorona is 100 percent effective based on the results obtained so far.
Sputnik V protects against all the strains of the coronavirus, the developer said.
Employees of Sputnik V’s developer have been immune for nine months so far.
Any Russian citizen can have a vaccine, that’s free. At the moment, EpiVacCorona is used in a few regions, while Sputnik V is being delivered to all the regions.
During three following months, 33 million doses of Sputnik will be produced to be added to 6.5 million already manufactured. In 2021, nearly 60 percent of Russia’s population will be inoculated, according to the government.
There have been no reports in media or social media so far on severe side-effects or Sputnik-related deaths.
Map Of The Spread Of Coronavirus COVID-19 In The World And Russian Regions (In Russian)
Russian web search engine Yandex has created an online map indicating all major Russian cities having COVID-infected persons and the number of the infected. It also shows the level of isolation measured in numbers from 0 (the worst) to 10 (the best). The map is only in Russian, though it’s intuitively understandable. By clicking on «Распространение» (spread) you will get the numbers of infected. Clicking on «Самоизоляция» (self-isolation) will give the levels of self-isolation. The map can be moved and zoomed in / zoomed out.