A new law stipulates, among other things, a blood sample, x-ray examinations or CT scans every three months. It is unclear whether someone who is sick will have to leave the country.
Russia introduces compulsory medical examinations for Germans and other foreigners. The regulation comes into effect this Wednesday. The law therefore prescribes extensive medical checks every three months from next spring. In addition to taking a blood sample, this also includes x-ray examinations or CT scans.
The German-Russian Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) has already warned of the consequences for the Russian economy if the new regulation is actually implemented consistently. If business representatives are concerned, there is a risk that “foreign managers who are important to Russia will turn away from Russia on a large scale”. The chamber sent a letter in December calling on the Russian government to weaken the law.
According to the law, foreigners must be examined for tuberculosis, drug use, syphilis and HIV. According to the AHK, the results of the investigation must be transmitted to the Russian migration authority. Fingerprints are therefore also mandatory. Those who refuse risk having their work permit withdrawn. At the request of correspondents, the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow announced that it would seek “favorable conditions” for media representatives and their families.
The newspaper critical of the Kremlin Novaya Gazeta asked in a report on the reform: “Is this about the health of society or is it discrimination?” The Russian authorities argue that the new procedure will improve the health situation in the largest country in the world in terms of area. Foreigners from the EU, for example, fear not only possible treatment errors in view of the less well-equipped health system compared to the West, but also unnecessary radiation exposure from the planned X-ray examinations.
At first it was unclear what happens when someone is sick – whether those affected then have to leave the country. It is also unclear how the compulsory examinations will be safely organized in view of the high level of pollution caused by the corona pandemic. In addition, data protection in Russia is considered to be full of holes. Time and again, large amounts of personal data are released into the open.