Russia has decided to resume air traffic with Finland, Vietnam, India and Qatar from January 27. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a relevant order on Monday, January 25.
According to the NSN, flights will be operated twice a week between Moscow and Hanoi, Delhi and Helsinki, and also three times a week between Moscow and Doha. It will also be possible to fly to Helsinki from St. Petersburg twice a week, writes Gazeta.ru.
The decision of the Russian Cabinet of Ministers was made on the basis of previously established criteria: in countries with which air traffic can be resumed, no more than 40 cases of coronavirus infection should be recorded per 100 thousand population within 14 days.
At the same time, the European Commission (EC) has tightened sanitary measures for citizens who enter EU countries and move between European states. According to the new requirements, travelers are required to provide a negative test for coronavirus infection, made three days before departure, comply with quarantine after entering an EU country and fill out a passenger registration form.
Regular and charter flights were suspended by Russia in March due to the situation caused by the spread of coronavirus in the world. Then, gradually, restrictions on air traffic with a number of countries were lifted.
On January 23, it was reported that Finnair will require passengers to have a negative coronavirus test from January 28 when flying to Finland.
The carrier emphasizes that the requirement for a new certificate does not override local health authorities’ procedures. So, upon arrival in Finland, all passengers arriving from abroad are sent for coronavirus testing.
The measure to restrict entry to Finland has been in effect since spring 2020 and has been extended several times. Only Russians who have a close relative in Finland, and also in the event of urgent family circumstances, can enter the country.