Russia stops issuing visas to Iranian citizens
Starting in the next two days, Iranians will not be issued visas to travel to Russia. Flights from Russia to Iran, South Korea, and China and vice versa have also been restricted. Pakistan also said it has two citizens with coronavirus.
The coronavirus has spread more than ever. It started in China and Machin and has spread to many other countries as travelers travel. Kremlin officials have imposed new restrictions on airlines, visa issuance, and entry and exit to Russia. Pakistan has also identified its first cases of coronavirus.
Russian authorities announced on Wednesday (February 26) that all flights to South Korea will be suspended from March 1 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The ban does not apply to flights by the national airline Aeroflot and Aura Airlines.
Flight and visa restrictions for Iranians traveling to Russia
Reuters reported from Moscow that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said she would stop issuing regular and business visas to Iranian citizens from February 28. She also urged Russian citizens to avoid traveling to Italy due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Iranian Ministry of Health has announced the number of coronavirus victims in Iran at 19 and the number of infected people at 139.
Russia has previously imposed several restrictions and bans on travel by its citizens to China, Moscow's largest trading partner. One of these bans was on Chinese citizens entering Russian territory.
Golikova also announced the extension of Russia's restrictive regulations and other preventive measures until April 1.
Regarding flights arriving in Russia from South Korea and Iran, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister said that a separate terminal at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport is dedicated to flights arriving from these two countries and China.
Since the beginning of February, the Russian Ministry of Transport has allowed the country's airlines to operate flights to China and vice versa only on a charter basis.
Hundreds of people quarantined in Russia
Hundreds of Russian citizens are now in quarantine. According to the authorities, people suspected of having the coronavirus in their place of residence are first examined and tested, and if suspected, sent to quarantine.
Russian officials also said that two Chinese nationals suspected of having the coronavirus were hospitalized and were discharged from the hospital with the permission of health authorities after recovering and confirming their health status.
Three Russian citizens who were passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship have also tested positive for the coronavirus. Russian authorities announced today that they are being treated in the country.
Efforts to create a vaccine
The Vector Center for Virology and Biotechnology, which is run by the Russian government, is developing two types of coronavirus vaccines. The Interfax news agency reported that the first samples of these vaccines should be tested by the end of the first half of 2020.
"We are developing two vaccines, the prototypes of which will undergo the first tests in June," said Rinat Maksutin, head of the Vector Center.
Two cases confirmed in Pakistan
The coronavirus has also reached Pakistan. Pakistani authorities have confirmed two cases of the virus but have said that “everything is under control.”
AFP reported from Islamabad on Wednesday, February 26, citing the Pakistani Health Minister, that two cases of coronavirus infection have been officially identified in the country.
According to Pakistani Health Minister Zafar Mirza, the first cases of infection were identified in Pakistan after Islamabad closed its land border with Iran.
He described the condition of the infected people as appropriate and said that “they are being monitored according to standard clinical guidelines.” Mr. Mirza tweeted today: “People should not panic and everything is under control.”
Source: DW
