Entry of Armenian Citizens to Russia Opening on February 1: Details from Nikol Pashinyan

Due to the coronavirus, numerous travel restrictions were imposed last year. Many of our compatriots have raised questions regarding the resumption of air travel to Russia. This was announced by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a government meeting today, January 27.

According to him, this is also a matter with a social component because many of our compatriots go to Russia for work. “Since last year, we have been working with our partners in Russia and the EAEU on this issue, and it seems we have some concrete results. The 'Travel Without Covid-19' program is being launched, and decisions have already been made by the governments of Armenia and Russia regarding this program. The essence of the program is that based on a negative coronavirus test, citizens will have the opportunity to travel by air to Russia, to specific airports. This program will initially be launched in a pilot format until March 1. However, we practically believe that it will work since the preliminary testing has already passed successfully,” he said, adding that due to this fact, flight numbers will increase.

In turn, Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan stated that citizens can download the relevant 'Traveling Without Covid-19' app on their phones, which lists the laboratories included in the program. “At these laboratories, they take the test, and the results are entered into the respective program, and in case of a negative response, the window for free movement turns green, allowing the citizen to cross the border,” she added. She mentioned that the test result is valid for 72 hours. It should be noted that entry of Armenian citizens to Russia is opening on February 1.