Long-awaited trip: which countries will open their borders in August

While Russians were actively booking trips to the resorts of Crimea and Krasnodar Territory, Russia resumed international air travel – it will be possible to fly abroad from August 1. However, the borders were opened only with some countries, and so far flights will be carried out to four destinations. Let’s find out where Russians can fly in August and whether it is worth hurrying to travel abroad at all.

Where can I fly to?

According to the decision of the Russian government, air travel resumes with Great Britain, Turkey, Tanzania and Abkhazia. Moreover, in the Turkish direction only airports of Istanbul and Ankara are opened from August 1, and from August 10 – Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman. It is possible to get to the United Kingdom only through the air harbor of London, and to Tanzania – through the resort island of Zanzibar. At first, international flights will be opened from three Russian cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don.

It also became known that the European Union is not going to open borders with Russia. But it will be possible to get to many European countries by transit through the UK and Turkey. Since July 1, flights between EU member states, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein are allowed. In addition, the Union lifted restrictions for 15 resident countries, including China, Georgia and Serbia. However, not everywhere is ready to accept Russians, moreover, upon arrival they may be sent to a two-week quarantine.

It is possible to get to the USA only through Turkey by flight Istanbul – New York. Of the Middle Eastern and Asian resorts will not all open. Tourists can already fly to Egypt and Dubai, but not to other emirates. Thailand, Morocco and Vietnam also do not let tourists in yet.

What should be remembered when traveling?

Coronavirus test and two weeks of isolation

Tourists will not need a certificate with a negative test for COVID-19 – you can fly to all destinations available from Russia without it. In addition, Turkey and Abkhazia do not even require a visa, unlike the UK and Tanzania.

All travelers arriving in Turkey will have to fill out a special questionnaire: it is necessary to specify personal data, seat number, address of stay in the country, contact information, as well as information about the state of health (whether there are symptoms of coronavirus). At the airport, each passenger will have his or her temperature taken, and if no signs of illness are detected, they will be released further on the route. A similar questionnaire will have to be filled out during the flight to the island of Zanzibar in Tanzania. Upon arrival tourists will also be checked. If someone has a high temperature or other symptoms of COVID-19, they will offer to take a rapid test right at the airport.

But in the UK, immediately after entering the country, you will be put under mandatory two-week quarantine. A certificate with a negative test does not exempt you from it. Immediately after arrival, tourists must go to the place where they will stay during the isolation. Violation of the regulation is punishable by a fine of 100 pounds sterling (about 9.7 thousand rubles).

Restrictive measures

Although the number of COVID-19 patients has decreased significantly in many countries, there is still a risk of contracting the virus. Therefore, security measures should not be neglected. In airports, hotels and public transportation, tourists are obliged to keep a social distance, and in some places – to wear medical masks and gloves. It is recommended to wash hands more often and regularly use disinfectants.

You can not worry about safety during a vacation in the resorts of Turkey, assure the local authorities. In hotels, all employees will use personal protective equipment, and rooms and common items will be thoroughly disinfected. At the same time, compliance with social distance will be controlled even on the beach.

High prices

Judging by the requests in search engines, the most popular destination is Turkey. Right behind it is Great Britain. Russians also often look for information about the island of Zanzibar, but do not hurry to buy tickets there.

Nevertheless, some people have doubts about the prices for air travel. They are significantly higher than last year. In the summer of 2019, the average price for a flight to Turkey was about 12 thousand rubles, and this year it is only the starting price. Tickets to Istanbul are now about 30% more expensive than usual, to Antalya – by 42%.

Despite such “biting” prices, Russians do not think to abandon the trip at all. For the sake of vacation abroad, many are ready to take a coronavirus test, to walk in public places wearing a mask and gloves and to keep a social distance.

Is it worth flying?

There is no definitive answer to this question. If you are willing to put up with some restrictions – a two-week quarantine in the UK or masks and gloves in public places in other countries – then the trip is well worth planning.

Of course, destinations for direct flights are still limited. But if necessary, transit flights will help you get to the right place. The main thing is not to forget that the coronavirus has not disappeared, the risk of infection still exists and it is not worth neglecting safety measures.