“We have taken a decision to restrict regular and chartered air service from Russian international airports to Turkish airports and back from April 15 to June 1, except flights necessary for the participation of Concern Titan-2 Joint-Stock Company in the construction of a nuclear power plant, bringing Russian nationals vacationing in Turkey home,” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said, adding that two flights, from Moscow to Istanbul and from Istanbul to Moscow would only be allowed once per week on a reciprocal basis.

Apart from that, Russian Federation suspends air service with Tanzania from April 15 to June 1.

“Based on the analysis of the epidemiological data, we have decided to suspend air service with Tanzania from April 15 to June 1,” the deputy prime minister said.

Air service with Tanzania and Turkey will be resumed when the COVID-19 situation in these countries stabilizes, according to the official.

“I would like to stress that we will keep a close eye on the situation. And if the situation in Turkey and Tanzania stabilizes, we will keep our nationals duly informed so that they could buy travel packages to these countries,” she said.

Kremlin also denied political context behind Russia’s decision to restrict flights to Turkey. Russia’s decision to restrict passenger flights to Turkey has no political implication and is prompted solely by a spike in the COVID-19 incidence in that country, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

“No, it does not [have a political implication],” the Kremlin official said when asked if the restrictions have a political implication, in particular that related to the recent statements of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Ukrainian issue.

“The situation is solely epidemiological in nature and is related to a quite sharp outbreak of the incidence in Turkey,” Peskov declared.