FCO advises vulnerable to check with doctor before Russia travel
The Foreign Office is advising people with vulnerable health to consult their doctors before travelling to Moscow and other areas affected by the pollution from forest fires.
It’s updated travel advice for Russia says: “Moscow and large parts of western Russia are affected by exceptionally high temperatures and by air pollution from extensive peat and forest fires.
"The most badly affected regions are Nizhny Novgorod, Mordovia, Tatarstan, Moscow, Voronezh, Ryazan, Vladimir and Ivanovo.
“If you have a pre-existing health issue, are pregnant, elderly or are travelling with children, you may wish to consult your own doctor before travelling.”
It also warns of disruption to Moscow flights due to poor visibility, adding “This situation may continue for some time.”
Russia has been suffering for over a week from the effects of hundreds of forest fires, caused by a record hot summer, though a change in the weather has brought some recent respite.
Regent Holidays has been constantly in touch with Russia-bound clients to update them on the situation.
General manager Andrea Godfrey said: “The situation in Russia does appear to be improving gradually.
“A report from one of Regent Holidays’ Russian partners today indicated that in the past three days there has been no smog, the sky is clear, there has been rain and the wind has changed direction, bringing with it a fall in temperature to around 25 degrees, all of which are good signs.
“Regent do have a large group of clients departing today but they are hopeful that the situation will continue to improve and that they will be able to enjoy their holiday.
“As the FCO advice has not advised against travel to Moscow, clients have been unable to cancel and claim on their insurance, although Regent have had one cancellation due to clients not really wanting to travel in the intense heat.”
Godfrey added that a few clients had rebooked to St Petersburg or Novgorod to bypass Moscow.
by Debbie Ward
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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