Russian airline Sibir (S7 Airlines) temporarily canceled all flights from Moscow to Ashgabat, the official website of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan reported today.

"Earlier, the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan informed foreign diplomatic missions of the need, in order to prevent the introduction of the COVID-19 virus into the country, to restrict official and personal trips of citizens to Turkmenistan until April 1, 2020," the message published on the website of the Russian Embassy reads.

Recall that the airline "Sibir" (S7 Airlines) operated a regular flight S7 3235/3236 on the route Moscow (Domodedovo) – Ashgabat – Moscow once a week on Airbus 320 aircraft. Flights to the capital of Turkmenistan were performed on Tuesdays.

Regular flights from Ashgabat to Moscow "Domodedovo" airport are currently operated by "Turkmen airlines" according to the previous schedule. On the way back, the aircraft make an intermediate landing in the city of Turkmenabat for sanitary control.

The Russian Embassy also informs that Turkmen airlines is suspending flights from Ashgabat to Saint Petersburg from 21 to 28 March 2020 and to Kazan from 15 to 29 March 2020.

Air carriers around the world partially cancel flights to various countries due to the spread of coronavirus.

It should be recalled that in Turkmenistan, under the leadership of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, in accordance with the recommendations of the world health organization and taking into account national legislation, necessary and timely steps are being taken to prevent the penetration of dangerous infectious diseases into the country. As it was stated recently at a briefing in the Ministry of foreign Affairs, no cases of disease or suspected coronavirus have been recorded in Turkmenistan.