Russia Demands Extra Medical Checks For Foreigners

22 July 2005 -- Russia's Migration Service today said that foreigners seeking to legally work or reside in the country will have to take tests for leprosy, tuberculosis, and various sexually transmitted diseases on top of the existing HIV tests.
AFP quoted Migration Service official Yelena Aloginova as saying the decision to enforce the additional tests was made on 18 July.

Aloginova said that the decision is in line with a 2003 government decree that had been only partially implemented up until today.

The decree lists tuberculosis, leprosy, syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV as dangerous infectious diseases that can serve as a basis for refusing or canceling work or temporary residency permits given to foreigners.

AFP reported that the American Chamber of Commerce has expressed concerns over the new measures.

(AFP)