Health and Travel  Alert – U.S. Mission Russia (April 14, 2020)

Health and Travel Alert – U.S. Mission Russia (April 14, 2020)

Location: Russia, country-wide

Event: Moscow Electronic Pass System Takes Effect on April 15

The Moscow City Government is implementing an electronic pass system to regulate vehicular travel within and into the city. The new rules are set to take effect April 15 and apply to all movements via car, taxi, motorcycle, bicycle, scooter, or any form of public transit. The specifics below come from the order released by the city government. This list is not exhaustive. The Embassy recommends that all U.S. citizens read the details directly on the Mayor’s web site.

Only police, members of the Russian military, judges, attorneys, journalists, private security guards, and some other public employees may move about freely by vehicle without the electronic pass.
You may apply for a pass on the MOS.RU website, by sending an SMS with the required data to 7377, or by calling the Unified Service of Moscow government number (495-777 77 77).‎
The electronic pass is a sixteen-digit code, which needs to be either printed or shown on a smartphone to authorities together your ID. Each pass is associated with a specific road or route and deviating from the specific approval is a violation.
There are three categories of electronic passes: one for single trips (such as going to the grocery store), one for visiting the doctor, and one for essential employees going to work. Passes obtained by “essential” employees for the purpose of going to work should be valid until the quarantine measures expire. The others are one-time-use only, and non-medical trips are limited to two per individual per calendar week. To receive a pass for driving a car, you must submit your license plate number to authorities with your pass request. If riding public transport, you must provide your Troika or Strelka card number.
For travel between the City of Moscow and the greater Moscow region, only ONE pass is necessary, based on where you reside.
Children younger than age 14 do NOT need an electronic pass.
As of now, pedestrian movements do NOT require an electronic pass from the Moscow City government.
You may start applying for electronic passes now (note that as of April 13, the website was not functioning properly).

Please see the City Government of Moscow’s website on COVID-19 for additional information. If you live or are visiting a location outside of Moscow, please check with the local government for applicable restrictions and guidelines.

Continued Communication:

Also, please continue to monitor our website and ensure you are enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). We will issue Health and Travel alerts on a regular basis and email you directly when we have additional information regarding charter flights. In case of emergency, please reach out to us via the points of contact described in our Emergency Contact List.

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.