Update – 16.07.2020

July 16, 2020

On Thursday, July 16^th, Russia recorded 6,428 new cases of coronavirus in 85 Russian regions, raising the official number of positive results to 752,797, with 11,937 dead. Most new COVID-19 cases (531) were registered in Moscow, raising the total number of Muscovites with confirmed COVID-19 to 231,801. In the meantime, a total number of 531,692 Russian patients are known to have recovered from coronavirus. Meanwhile, Rospotrebnadzor estimated the level of population immunity to coronavirus in the Russian Federation at 26%. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that wearing masks was no longer required outdoors from July 13^th as the number of new coronavirus cases had dwindled in the Russian capital in recent weeks

According to the head of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection (Rospotrebnadzor), Anna Popova, Russia will no longer require foreigners without coronavirus to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival, as the country looks to reopen to international travelers in the midst of the pandemic. Now, foreign citizens require a document in Russian or English with a negative test for coronavirus, taken no earlier than three days before arrival in Russia.

Russian authorities started to plan gradual removing of restrictions on flights to other countries from July 15^th. In order to resume flights to foreign countries, the incidence of coronavirus in the foreign countries should be about 40 per 100 thousand of the population. Such figures should be the same in the country for 14 days, that is, the incubation period. The average daily increase in the number of people infected and the rate of spread of the disease in such states should not exceed 1%. “The aviation authorities will need to negotiate and find out which countries meet the criteria. Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova also noted that the resumption of air travel is possible, as in Russia “the incidence rate has been declining for a long time”.

On Wednesday, July 15^th, it became known that Russia and Turkey were able to reach an agreement on the resumption of flights between the two countries. According to travel industry professionals and aviation experts, it should not be expected that air traffic will recover immediately in full: most likely, the first flights will still be regular. And if the authorities of both countries are convinced that there is no negative effect from the lifting of the ban, then the carriers who operate flights commissioned by tour operators will also be allowed to re-launch. However, Turkish Airlines have already announced the resumption of flights between Turkey and six Russian cities starting on August 1^st. The airline plans to operate flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Krasnodar, Sochi and Rostov-on-Don.

Russia and Belarus will soon resume air and land traffic. This was agreed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and the head of the Belarusian Government Roman Golovchenko. The first restrictions on the movement of people between Russia and Belarus were introduced on March 16^th, and on March 30^th, the border was completely closed.

Russia has passed the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, and the situation is improving, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on July 15^th. Growth in new coronavirus cases has been minimal in Russia, no more than 1% over the past day, he said. The prime minister also said that the Russian government extended the free provision of test systems for the detection of coronavirus for state and municipal medical institutions until May 2021. Starting July 16^th, Moscow will offer free coronavirus testing for all residents, Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said.

2/3 of tourists are “mentally prepared” for vacations abroad, but only 1/3 can afford it. This data was highlighted by Tutu.ru travel service survey, in which more than 2700 respondents took part. It turned out that the majority (67%) have no fears and are mentally prepared to travel abroad. However, in reality, only 27% can afford the trip. The answer – “ready financially, but not mentally” – was the least popular with 7% of respondents choosing it. Another 21% plan to spend their holidays in Russia this year.

On Thursday, July 16^th, Kazakhstan recorded 1674 new cases of coronavirus, raising the official number of positive cases to 65,188, with 375 dead.

Quarantine has been extended from July 20^th to August 2^nd in Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Askar Mamin said during his recent address. While the second week of strict restrictive quarantine measures is currently underway, the incidence rate is stabilizing. Meanwhile, the head of the WHO office in Kazakhstan, Caroline Clarinval, urged not to rush to conclusions that pneumonia of unknown etiology is rampant in Kazakhstan. In order to find out the causes of an unprecedented outbreak of pneumonia, a group of WHO experts will be sent to Kazakhstan.

On Thursday, July 16^th, Ukraine recorded 848 new cases of coronavirus, raising the official number of positive results to 56,455, with 1445 dead. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that the western regions of the country should prepare for the second wave of coronavirus and noted that the country’s healthcare system needs to tune in to any outcome of the situation.

The quarantine in Ukraine, introduced due to the coronavirus are planned to be extended for at least another month, said the country’s Minister of Health Maxim Stepanov. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine will consider the issue of extending quarantine restrictions in the country due to coronavirus infection at a meeting on July 21^st. The current restrictions expire on July 31^st.

The United States of America has increased its financial assistance to Ukraine in the fight against coronavirus by $ 1.8 million, while the total will amount to $ 17.3 million, the US Embassy in Kyiv said on Tuesday, July 14^th. The embassy said that the additional funding will help to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by providing humanitarian aid, support for isolated sites and treatment centers.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Health has allowed Ukrainians to enter the country from July 16^th without going through a 14-day quarantine and without a coronavirus test. This was reported by the Ukrainian Embassy in Bulgaria on Facebook. However, the Bulgarian government extended the epidemic emergency within the country until July 31^st.

Outbound destinations available to Ukrainians in the first two weeks after the start of charter programs have recovered by 30-40% from last year’s indicators. Turkey claims the best position.

Sources:

https://t.me/COVID2019_official

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