FAQ: Quarantine during COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak

 Find some answers in the article

 

HOW TO RETURN TO SAINT PETERSBURG FROM ABROAD?

You may go back to Saint Petersburg by Moscow.

Starting from March 27, 2020, the Russian Federation stops implementation of regular and charter passenger air transportation with the foreign states, with the exception of transporting Russian citizens from the territory of foreign countries to Russia. For tourists who are currently abroad, there is a hotline organized by the Federal Agency for Tourism in cooperation with ‘Tour Help’ Association (tourpom.ru), available 27/7. 

Hotline on the provision of emergency assistance to tourists (the Federal Agency for Tourism in Russia):

+7-499-678-12-03 (24/7);

+7-495-959-15-66 (24/7);

+7-915-117-04-51 (Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

You can also consult duty specialists of the Crisis Management Centre (department) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, available 24/7:

+7(495) 587 88 60;
+7(499) 244 19 77;
+7 (499) 244-19-88;
+7(499) 244-28-47;
+7 985 046 52 97 (only WhatsApp Messenger).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send the list of Russians who want to return to the Russian Federation up to March 26, 2020 to the RF Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Health, the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, the Ministry of the Interior and PJSC 'Aeroflot’ no later than on March 27, 2020.

 

SHOULD I SELF-QUARANTINE IF I COME BACK FROM EUROPE?

We kindly ask you to call 112 (medical assistance) and provide information on the place of your stay. If you haven’t travelled abroad recently and were in Russia, there is no need for it. To date, all who arrived in the Russian Federation must self-quarantine for 14 days. (Source: Act No. 7 ‘On carrying out the isolation regime to prevent the spread of COVID-19’ adopted by the Chief Sanitary Inspector of Russia from March 18, 2020).

 

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IN CASE OF FEELING BAD?

In such a case, promptly call an ambulance and seek medical attention, please – 112. Note that you need to call an ambulance, not a medical doctor from the clinic.

According to the information of World Health Organization, first mild symptoms include tiredness, fever (>90%) and dry cough (80%). Other symptoms include aches and pains (8%), nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat and diarrhea (3%). These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell.

If the condition worsens, cough may intensify and chest tightness while breathing (> 20%) as well as shortness of breath (55%) will appear. Such symptoms may signify pneumonia and are indications for calling an ambulance and seeking medical attention.

 

WHERE CAN I TAKE THE TEST FOR COVID-19?

Biological Sampling test centers for those who wish to undergo a medical examination for COVID-19 can be found on the official website of Health Care Committee of Saint Petersburg:

https://www.gov.spb.ru/gov/otrasl/c_health/news/184993/

!The OMI Policy is needed!

WHO SHOULD I ADDRESS IN SAINT PETERSBURG IF I AM A FORIGNER AND WANT TO RETURN HOME?

The complete information for foreign citizens who are currently in Saint Petersburg can be found in this ADVISORY

 

I AM A FOREIGNER AND CANNOT LEAVE FOR MY COUNTRY. AND MY VISA EXPIRES SOON. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

With regard to the spread of COVID-19, in order to ensure the realization of rights and freedoms of persons, starting from March 19, 2020 all foreign citizens may extend the period of temporary stay in the Russian Federation. Foreign citizens may come to the nearest office of the Ministry of the Interior in Russia with the request in no particular format. 

Full text here: https://mvdmedia.ru/news/official/mvd-rossii-razyasny..

The complete information for foreign citizens who are currently in Saint Petersburg can be found in this ADVISORY NOTE

 

HOW CAN I GET A TICKET REFURD?

Please contact your airline company for detailed information.

Aeroflot – Russian Airlines	+7 (800) 444-55-55
S7 Airlines	+7 (812) 718-68-76, +7 (800) 700-07-07, +7 (495) 783-07-07
Red Wings	+7 (911) 714-65-56, +7 (800) 350-99-77, +7 (495) 212-12-51
Smartavia	+7 (911) 714-65-56, +7 (800) 200-00-55
Azur Air	+7 (495) 374-55-14
iFly	+7 (495) 36 36 36 8
Nordwind	+7 (800) 222-48-44, +7 (495) 730-50-80
Azimuth	+7 (931) 228-98-59, +7 (863) 302-02-20
Ural Airlines	+7-982-695-98-03
Utair	+7 (800) 234-00-88, +7 (812) 677-74-65

 

HOW CAN I GET A REFUND FOR THE TOUR I BOUGHT?

Given the situation, the following solutions are feasible and not inconsistent with the law on principles of tourist activities in Russia:

• To change the travel destination without changing the date of your holiday
• To change the date and destination of the trip to a more convenient date within a year but to pay for a trip to tour operator
• Other solutions that are possible to respect the interests of both parties

In addition to that, it’s important to note that the solutions listed above are included in terms and conditions of the agreement on sale of package tours. Any amendments are possible only if both sides reach mutual agreement on the issue (Art.10, Federal Law No.132 on principles of tourist activities in Russia, from November 24, 1996).

In case of objection to change the travel destination of dates of the trip, the procedure of the tour refund is the following:

1. In the case of a trip to a country where a threat to tourists' safety exists: the tourist has the right to claim for termination of the tourist package contract and claim for refund of tourist package value. (before the trip) - Federal Law No. 132-FZ on tourism, Art. 14.
2. In the case of a trip to a country, in respect of which the regime of threat to the safety of tourists has not been imposed, the tourist has the right to claim for termination of the tourist package contract on the ground of the significant change in the condition, on which the seller and consumer entered into the contract. (Federal Law No.132, Art.10).

In this case, it’s important to note that the consumer should refund the actual incurred expenses to the tour operator, except as otherwise provided in law or the tourist contract. (Art. 781/3 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation). If the tourist objects the amount of refund, they can appeal to court.  The responsibility to prove the actual incurred expenses is placed on the tour operator

Learn more about requesting a refund of the ticket here: https://www.russiatourism.ru/news/16616/

 

WHEN CAN I GET A REFUND FOR THE CANCELLED TOUR?

The outbreak of COVID-19 affected all people across the globe. There are more than 10000 cancelled or postponed tours and tourists want to get specifics about cancellation policy and pay-back period.

We kindly ask you to attention to the fact that due to the measures implemented by the governments against the spread of COVID-19, hotels and airline companies experience difficulties to promptly respond to numerous tourists’ requests.

Return of upheld funds from the foreign is carried out with significant service delay or is suspended at all. This circumstance makes it difficult for tour companies to work with tourists.

We kindly ask you to monitor the information on the official website of the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism: www.russiatourism.ru.

If you have any questions or need any information, please contact the hotline of the Federal Agency for Tourism:

+7-499-678-12-03 (24/7);

+7-495-959-15-66 (24/7);

+7-915-117-04-51 (Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

 

HOW LONG WILL PUBLIC PLACES (CINEMAS, MUSEUMS, SWIMMING POOLS, FITNESS CENTERS ETC.) BE CLOSED?

Such measures last until April 30. The measures are implemented in order to protect the health of persons. It’s possible that the Government of Saint Petersburg can make adjustment to the budget for Saint-Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development as part of the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the city.

The latest version of the Act is here: ‘On measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection in Saint Petersburg (COVID-19)’

 

WHAT INFORMATION SOURCES CAN I USE TO KEEP ABREAT OF THE RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19?

The full information about coronavirus infection for tourists is available in Russian on the official website of the Federal Agency for Tourism in the Russian Federation - russiatourism.ru.

The full information regarding COVID-19 prevention and measures against the spread of COVID-19 can be found on the official website of Rospotrebnadzor (Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) - rospotrebnadzor.ru.

Saint Petersburg City Administration provides updated information about the current situation on the official website of the City Government - gov.spb.ru and on the official website about tourism in Saint Petersburg - visit-petersburg.ru.

 

 I JUST RETURNED FROM ABROAD AND DON’T WANT TO SELF-QUARANTINE. CAN I BE PROSECUTED?

In accordance with the act adopted by the Chief Sanitary Inspector of Russia from March 19, 2020, all who arrived in the Russian Federation from abroad including resort areas must self-quarantine for 14 days since the day of entry.

It is stated on the official website of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation that violation of quarantine and anti-epidemic measures, entails liability under Article 236 ‘Violation of Sanitary and Epidemiological Rules’ of the Russian Criminal Code:

1. Violation of sanitary and epidemiological rules which has resulted in, by negligence, mass diseases or poisoning of people, shall be punishable with a fine in an amount of up to 80 thousand roubles, or in the amount of the wage or salary, or any other income of the convicted person for a period of up to six months, or by disqualification from holding specific offices or engaging in specific activities for a term of up to three years, or by compulsory works for a term of up to 360 hours, or by corrective works for a term of up to one year, or by restriction of liberty for a term of up to one year.
2. The same act, which has involved by negligence the death of a person, shall be punishable by obligatory labour for a term of up to 480 hours, or by corrective labour for a term of six months to two years, or by compulsory labour for a term of up to five years, or by deprivation of liberty for the same term.

It’s noteworthy that on March 25 a draft federal law ‘On amendments in Article 236 and Article 151 of the Russian Federal Code and in’ was introduced into the State Duma of the Russian Parliament. The bill provides for harsher punishments for violation of sanitary and epidemiological rules. Deputies will discuss the question as a matter of priority on first reading. The federal law calls for the imposition of a fine between 300.000 and 2.000.000 roubles. Violation of quarantine resulted in two or more deaths is punishable by restriction of liberty for a term of up to 7 years. 

The hotline of the Federal Agency for Tourism for COVID-19:

+7-499-678-12-03 (24/7);

+7-495-959-15-66 (24/7);

+7-915-117-04-51 (Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

The hotline for travel tour operators and travel agencies: tourhotline@mail.ru
All the relevant information on the flights is published here:  https://www.russiatourism.ru/.

Medical Assistance: 112.

In case of difficulties to return to your country, please contact the Representative Offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the state of your visit. The telephone numbers find here: https://www.mid.ru/ru/home

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOU LOVED ONES!