Russia will close its borders to foreigners from 18 March

Russia will close its borders to foreigners from 18 March until 1 May in a bid to fight the spread of Covid-19, the Russian government has announced. And those non-citizens already in the country will be barred from visiting museums.

As well as stopping non-citizens from entering cultural institutions, the new rules specifically ban group excursions, audio guides, and other handheld devices.

Cultural bodies are also required to measure workers and visitors’ temperature, increase cleaning schedules, and suspend international trips and tours. The ministry advised cultural institutions to limit public events, but has not banned them outright.

Authorities have so far reported 93 confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia, but no deaths. The country’s schools will be closed from 21 March until 12 April.