This measure is part of a package of bills presented to the State Duma to combat illegal migration and protect public health. In turn, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Irina Yarovaya announced this at a meeting.
Yarovaya emphasized that the legality of foreigners' stay in Russia should be confirmed by strict adherence to norms regarding medical status.
The new bills also stipulate that medical examinations will only be conducted in institutions accredited by local authorities, and the costs will be borne by the foreign citizens themselves, which will eliminate the possibility of involving intermediaries.
Additionally, it is proposed to significantly reduce the period allowed for undergoing a medical examination from 90 to 30 days and to make it mandatory for all foreign citizens planning to stay in Russia for more than three months.
The bills also provide for criminal liability for forging medical certificates regarding health. Such offenses may carry a penalty of up to four years of imprisonment and a fine of up to one million rubles. In the case of mass infection, the punishment may be up to eight years of imprisonment.
It should be noted that all these initiatives have received support from the government of Russia, the Supreme Court, and law enforcement agencies.
