The Russian government has closed all its borders to foreign citizens this week except permanent residents over the fear of coronavirus.
The restrictions announced by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will come to effect on Wednesday and will last until May 1. He said the measure, due to come into effect at midnight (2100 GMT Tuesday) and run until May 1, was aimed at protecting public health in Russia, which has so far recorded 93 cases of the disease.
Russian media was rife with speculation that the government was considering completely closing the borders of Russia. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a similar measure for the European Union.
“The measures taken by Russia comply with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, are the result of special circumstances and are absolutely temporary,” government's press service said.
“If you follow the Russian logic, you need to close its borders regionally: to separate the Far East, Siberia, the Urals, to separate the Caucasus, to draw a border somewhere in the north of the European part of Russia," he explained. "Russia is huge, half the world (sic)."
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin held a series of telephone conversations on Sunday and Monday to explain the move to leaders of neighboring states.
Diplomatic representatives, people residing permanently in Russia, along with some other categories such as airplane crew members, international truck drivers and people attending funerals will get exemptions.
The prime minister also approved anti-crisis fund of $4 billion aimed at limiting damage to the economy.
All education institutions including state schools, sports schools in Moscow will remain from March 21 till April 12.
In Russia, the number of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 reached 93 people, with no deaths so far.
