Russia Lifts Temporary Entry Restrictions for Foreign Sportsmen and Coaches

In March, the Russian government issued a decree, restricting the entry of foreigners into the country as part of measures to fend off the spread of the coronavirus.

Foreign athletes and coaches, who have contracts with Russian sports organisations, will be allowed to return to the country, according to an act published on the official website of the Russian Cabinet that effectively ruled out previously imposed restrictions.

The document states that they will have to be quarantined for 14 days and remain under medical supervision upon entering the country, in line with legislation obliging all foreigners to undergo such procedures.

According to the Cabinet, the new measure will help professional sports organisations, including football clubs in the Russian Premier League, to renew training after coronavirus restrictions are eased.

On 27 March, Russia banned almost all regular and charter air travel, with several exceptions, including flights carrying humanitarian aid or repatriating citizens. These drastic measures were taken in response to the spread of the coronavirus that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation that month.

According to the latest data provided by the response centre at 10:35 a.m. Moscow time, Russia counts 281,752 cases of the infection. The total death toll stands at 2,631, while the number of recoveries is 67,373.