Last Updated on October 27, 2021, 6:29 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Russia: Facing the most severe restrictions since the early months of the pandemic, many Russians have decided that now is an ideal time to fly to a beach vacation abroad rather than take refuge at home.
Workplaces in Russia must close in the first week of November for paid “non-working days” to curb the relentless spread of COVID-19. Russia reported 1,123 new deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, its highest number of pandemic in a day so far.
In Moscow, unvaccinated over-60s have been closed for four months, and stores other than pharmacies and supermarkets will close from Thursday until November 7.
An unintended consequence of the hardening of sidewalks, accompanied by calls to wear masks, observe social distancing and get vaccinated, has been a sharp increase in foreign travel bookings to destinations where Russia’s flagship Sputnik V is recognized or where the COVID entry requirements are cheap and easy.
“Do not quarantine yourself, but on vacation at the beach!” The travel company Orange Sun Tour proclaims that it offers getaways in Cyprus, Egypt, Cuba, and other destinations on its website.
Travel agent Polina Bondarenko said prices had skyrocketed for trips to all available destinations.
“People are leaving in connection with this blockade,” she told Reuters, saying that about 70% of travelers were vaccinated, well above the national level of just over a third.
Mkhissin Rami, manager of the Orange Sun Tour, said the race had started just after the partial closures were announced last week.
“Nobody wanted to stay in Moscow, because what can you do here, so the demand increased about five times, sure,” he said.
For Egypt, the most popular destination, the price of a week-long hotel getaway for two had risen to about 150,000 rubles ($ 2,130) compared to just over 100,000 normally, he told Reuters.
When asked to comment on the phenomenon of escapees flying abroad, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that medical professionals had raised concerns and that there could be epidemiological consequences.
But Peskov said there was no ban on such vacations, none had been planned, and that preventing people from moving freely was an unwanted measure of last resort.
Tourists interviewed at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport saw no apparent irony in their decision to flee the country just as the government is urging people to slow down their movements.
“If we didn’t make the trip now, we would be sitting at home,” said Nina, a resident of the Vladimir region east of Moscow, whose previous attempt to vacation in Turkey was thwarted when flights were canceled last April.
Muscovite Alexandra said she was not scared of COVID risks because hotels kept abreast of the situation.
“It’s not my first holiday this year, it’s probably my fifth,” she said. “They (the hotels) are trying to follow and observe the rules. Besides, I’m vaccinated, that won’t save you but it will help you. Everything will be great.”
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
