[rbc.ru] Russia closes its borders to citizens of China. Entrance to Russia will be banned on February 20 for all visitors from China: tourists, students, entrepreneursPrime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree that prohibits Chinese citizens from entering Russia. This was reported to reporters in the operational headquarters for the fight against coronavirus.
A travel ban to Russia is imposed for Chinese citizens visiting the country for both tourism and business, educational and private purposes. The border for them will be closed from February 20. The decision was made "in order to ensure the security of the state, protect public health and the non-proliferation of new coronavirus infection."
Also, the Russian authorities temporarily suspend the processing of documents for Chinese citizens to enter Russia, including accepting documents for a visa, issuing invitations to enter, permits to attract foreign workers. Acceptance of any documents stops on February 19.
“The restriction will not affect transit passengers,” the Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova specified in the secretariat.
In 2019, 2.3 million citizens of the People's Republic of China arrived in Russia, it follows from the statistics of the FSB Border Service on the indicator “entry of foreign citizens into the Russian Federation”. Of these, 1.5 million Chinese arrived for tourism purposes, 321 thousand - for business.
Russia has previously restricted air traffic to China. Moscow allowed only Aeroflot and four Chinese airlines to fly to China and back. All passengers from China pass through Sheremetyevo terminal F. Since February 14, a temporary ban on charter flights to China has entered into force. Until February 14, charter flights were carried out for the return of Russians in the PRC.