Federal government bans Chinese citizens from entering Russia amid coronavirus outbreak

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed an order temporarily banning Chinese citizens from entering the Russian Federation, whether for tourism, work, or personal travel. Interfax first reported on the ban, citing sources in the office of Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova.

The order will take effect on February 20.

Officials confirmed that the ban stems directly from “declining epidemiological conditions in the PRC [People’s Republic of China] and the continued presence of Russian citizens on Russian territory.” Two Russian citizens vacationing on the cruise ship Diamond Princess have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus that originated in China and has infected 73,000 individuals in total.

Russia had previously instituted a partial shutdown of its border with China, cut off all rail transport between the two countries, and placed heavy limits on air travel.