Russian watchdog denies reports of new border measures to combat COVID-19

Russia’s sanitary watchdog Rospotrebnadzor did not introduce any new measures to combat the coronavirus, the federal service said in a statement on Telegram.

"Reports about the reintroduction of border measures to combat the coronavirus - similar to those that were in effect at the peak of the pandemic - have been spreading on social media. Rospotrebnadzor would like to point out that those reports aren’t true. Our employees act in strict compliance with the relevant documents. There are no plans to take any new measures to combat COVID-19," the statement reads.

The watchdog stressed that in accordance with the Russian top sanitary doctor’s order, it was mandatory for those arriving from countries where the coronavirus situation was difficult to be tested for the virus.

"In addition, those returning from overseas are still required to fill out special forms. Russian nationals can do it online on the government services website," the watchdog noted.