Russia might seek proof of immunity to coronavirus starting next year

According to the latest rules by the Russian government, travellers are now required to show proof of immunity to COVID 19 virus.

The Russian authorities have proposed that QR codes should be displayed by travellers for both air and rail journeys up until June 1. The government however has not yet decided on the date when this new rule would be implemented.

According to Russia’s Transport Minister, Vitaly Savelyev, “Specific medical documentation… will have to be presented during the purchase of tickets and at the boarding whether it is a plane or a railway carriage.”

The law is yet to get the parliament’s approval, but the tentative date for the commencement of this new rule is February 1, 2022. According to reports, the QR Codes will also be necessary for restaurants, and other public places. However, this may differ from region to region, depending upon the rate of infection. The draft law also says that travellers can present a negative RT-PCR test report instead of a QR Code.

Russia has surpassed 500000 deaths due to COVID-19 in November this year, according to Rosstat, a sate statistics service. Also, the country is reporting the highest number of daily infections since the pandemic broke out. Russia also has the third highest number of coronavirus related deaths.

Currently, only 40 percent of the country’s population is fully vaccinated.