Health and Travel  Alert – U.S. Mission Russia - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia

Health and Travel Alert – U.S. Mission Russia (April 2, 2020)

Location: Russia, country-wide

Event: Daily COVID-19 Update for U.S. Citizens in the Russian Federation

Please review the Level 4: Do Not Travel, Global Health Advisory, updated on March 31. At present the Department of State is making every effort to assist U.S. citizens overseas who wish to return to the United States. As the Covid-19 situation develops, our ability to provide such assistance working with commercial airlines or arranging for evacuation flights may become more limited or even unavailable. If you wish to return to the United States, you should make arrangements to do so now and contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance as needed. There is no guarantee that the Department of State will be able to continue to provide repatriation assistance and transportation options to the United States may be unavailable in the future. If you choose to remain overseas, you should be prepared to remain where you are for the foreseeable future.

Flight Update: U.S. Mission Russia continues to monitor the availability of international flights departing the Russian Federation. The Aeroflot website is currently selling tickets for an April 3 flight from Moscow to New York City. There are still limited tickets available. Please consider that premium seats on this flight may be less expensive than tickets on a potential charter flight. It is possible that the April 3 flight may be the last flight available this month. If you previously sent your name or the name of a family member to the Embassy for consideration for a charter flight, and you or your family member are able to depart Russia by a commercial flight, please let us know at MoscowCharter@state.gov.

We continue to explore the possibility of private charter flights. Further information about these flights, should they become available, will be disseminated through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Please encourage your friends and family members abroad to register.

If you wish to register your interest in a possible charter flight, please follow the link below and fill out the questionnaire. You should fill out a separate questionnaire for each member of your traveling party. Please keep in mind that charter flights are generally more expensive than commercial options, and each traveler is responsible for the cost of their ticket.

Click here to register for a possible charter flight to the United States

Russian Visa Extensions: The Government of the Russian Federation has offered foreigners remaining in Russia past their original departure dates the opportunity to extend their visas up to 90 days. U.S. citizens who are interested in extending their visas should visit a Ministry of Internal Affairs police station to apply for an extension. In Moscow, U.S. citizens should visit the Ministry of Internal Affairs office on Pokrovka Street, #42 after it reopens on April 13.

Self-Isolation Orders: The Mayor of Moscow announced a citywide self-isolation order, effective March 30, meant to slow the spread of COVID-19. Visit the website of the Mayor of Moscow and the local government COVID-19 website for updated information. This order mandates all individuals present in Moscow, regardless of age, self-isolate in their place of residence until further notice.

According to the published decree, leaving one’s place of residence is permitted only for the following:

Seeking emergency medical care or other direct threats to life and health
Traveling to and from work if required to do so
Shopping at the nearest existing store or pharmacy
Walking pets at a distance not to exceed 100 meters from one’s residence
Taking out household garbage

The mayor of Moscow further stated compliance will be monitored systemically. A pass system will reportedly be deployed by the Moscow City government in the coming days. Authorities require all those outside their residences to observe social distancing of 1.5 meters, with taxis being the only exception. Individuals within Moscow found to be infected with COVID-19 but who display only mild symptoms are to be treated under the supervision of doctors at home and will receive antiviral drugs.

U.S. citizens currently located in Moscow are encouraged to follow all official City of Moscow government guidance and minimize nonessential movements through the city. Travelers should be prepared for increased travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.

Several other cities, such as Yekaterinburg, have also established similar stay at home orders. Please check local municipal websites for the most current information.

Emergency Assistance: U.S. citizens who need urgent assistance, or who have been ordered into quarantine, should contact the U.S. Embassy in Moscow or U.S. Consulate General Yekaterinburg at the information provided below. U.S. citizens in the Russian Far East may also contact the Consular Agency in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk for limited emergency services at the information provided below.

Please read the most recent alerts issued by U.S. Mission Russia for more information.

Additional Actions to Take:

Consult the  CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Russia.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.