Russia Halts Visa Issuance for Iranian Citizens

Starting from two days from now, visas for Iranian travel to Russia will no longer be issued. Flights from Russia to Iran, South Korea, and China and vice versa have been restricted. Pakistan also said it has two coronavirus patients.

The coronavirus has spread increasingly. Starting from China and Wuhan, it has affected many other countries simultaneously with the travel of passengers. Kremlin officials have imposed new restrictions on airlines, visa issuance, and entry and exit to Russia. Pakistan also identified its first coronavirus patients.

Russian officials announced on Wednesday, March 7 (February 26) that all flights to South Korea would be suspended from the beginning of next month (March) to prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, this ban does not include flights by the national airline Aeroflot and Aura airline.

Flight Restrictions and Travel Visa Limitations for Iranians to Russia

Reuters news agency reported from Moscow that Tatiana Golikova, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, said the issuance of regular and commercial visas for Iranian citizens would be halted from February 28. She also asked Russian citizens to refrain from traveling to Italy given the spread of coronavirus in that country.

Iran’s Ministry of Health announced the number of coronavirus victims in Iran as 19 people and the number of infected as 139 people.

Russia had previously imposed multiple restrictions and bans on its citizens traveling to China, which is Moscow’s largest trade partner. Entry of Chinese citizens into Russian territory was also one of these restrictions.

Golikova also announced the extension of restrictive regulations and other preventive measures by Russia until the beginning of April.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Russia said regarding incoming flights to Russia from South Korea and Iran that a separate terminal at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow has been allocated for incoming flights from these two countries and China.

Russia’s Ministry of Transport, since the beginning of February, has considered the activities of this country’s air transport companies to China and vice versa only possible in charter form.

Quarantine for Hundreds in Russia

Hundreds of Russian citizens are now in quarantine. Following orders from authorities, individuals suspected of coronavirus infection are first examined and tested at their place of residence, and if suspected, are sent to quarantine.

Russian officials also said that two Chinese nationals who were suspected of coronavirus infection were hospitalized and after recovery and confirmation of their health status, were discharged from the hospital with permission from health authorities.

Three Russian citizens who were passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship have also been infected with coronavirus. Russian authorities announced today that these individuals are undergoing treatment within the country.

Efforts to Develop a Vaccine

The Vector Virology and Biotechnology Center, which is run under the supervision of the Russian government, is engaged in producing two types of vaccines for coronavirus. Interfax news agency reported that the initial samples of these vaccines should be tested by the end of the first half of 2020.

Rinat Maksutov, head of the Vector Center, said: “We are producing two vaccines whose initial samples will undergo their first tests in June.”

Confirmation of Two Cases in Pakistan

Coronavirus has reached Pakistan as well. Pakistani authorities have confirmed two cases of coronavirus infection but said “everything is under control.”

France’s news agency reported from Islamabad today, Wednesday, March 7 (February 26), citing Pakistan’s health minister that two cases of coronavirus infection have been officially identified in the country.

According to Zafar Mirza, Pakistan’s health minister, after Islamabad closed its land border with Iran, the first cases of infection in Pakistan were identified.

He considered the condition of these infected individuals appropriate and said that “they are under care based on standard clinical guidelines.” Mr. Mirza wrote on Twitter today: “People should not panic and everything is under control.”

Source: DW