Coronavirus: Russia to ban Chinese citizens from entry amid outbreak fears
- Suspension will begin Thursday, and apply to those travelling for employment, educational and tourist reasons
- Action taken in view of ‘worsening of the epidemic in China’ and continued arrival of Chinese nationals in Russia
Russia on Tuesday said it would ban all Chinese citizens from entering its territory starting Thursday, in a drastic measure against the spread of the new coronavirus, local news agencies said.
“The entry of all Chinese citizens via Russia’s state frontiers will be suspended from February 20 for work travel, private travel, study and tourism,” said Tatiana Golikova, the deputy prime minister in charge of health, according to agencies.
She said the decision was taken “because of the worsening of the epidemic in China and the fact that Chinese nationals are continuing to arrive on Russian territory”.
Russia is a popular destination among Chinese nationals, who visit as tourists or live there for work or study. Many also transit through Russian airports en route to the West.
Russia has taken drastic measures to stop the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak, which has claimed nearly 1,900 lives in China and around the world. It has already closed its 4,250km (2,650 mile) border with China.