Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed an order to open the border with South Ossetia, which was closed earlier due to the threat of the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, the press service of the Russian government reported on Tuesday.
"Russia is opening the border with South Ossetia, and is also removing restrictions for some specialists to enter and leave the country, imposed due to the spread of a new coronavirus infection," the document says.
From September 15, citizens of South Ossetia will again be able to freely enter the Russian Federation, and residents of Russia - to cross the border with this republic. The decision to lift the restrictions was made on September 10 following a meeting of the operational staff under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova.
In addition, members of the crews of sea and river vessels in Russian ports are allowed to enter and leave Russia, the report says.
Restrictions will not apply to specialists who participate in quality control of equipment manufactured by Russian companies under contracts related to the construction of nuclear power plants abroad under international agreements between Russia and foreign partners.
Free border crossing is also allowed for those involved in the certification of new aircraft and maintaining the airworthiness of domestically produced aircraft operated by Russian companies.
South Ossetia has resumed crossing the state border with Russia through the Ruck multilateral checkpoint in the usual way since 23:59 Monday, according to the government decree of August 31, 2020, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers reports.
"On September 15, the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the territory of the Republic, stipulated by the resolutions of the government of the Republic of South Ossetia, are canceled, and the crossing of the state border of South Ossetia through the Ruck multilateral checkpoint is resumed as usual," the government decree says.
Earlier, South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov said that the border with Russia should be opened from September 15. At the same time, the head of the Republic said that in the event of an outbreak of coronavirus infection in South Ossetia, the leadership may decide to return to restrictive measures.
The ban on crossing the border with the Russian Federation has been in effect in South Ossetia since the beginning of April. In total, 90 cases of coronavirus infection were recorded in South Ossetia, 90 people recovered.
