Russian tourists arriving at Sheremetyevo Airport from Bangkok were refused permission to leave their aircraft until sanitary inspectors checked their temperatures following a COVID-19 outbreak.
Passengers landing in Moscow faced heightened health screening measures when sanitary and quarantine control officers boarded the plane. Inspectors used a thermal imaging camera to measure the body temperature of everyone on board before allowing travelers to disembark.
The incident was reported by the Telegram news channel Shot, which noted that passengers returning from the Thai capital were kept on the aircraft while emergency health checks were carried out.
Health screening at Moscow airport
Sheremetyevo International Airport is the busiest aviation hub in Moscow and handles international flights connecting Russia with major worldwide destinations. The direct route between Bangkok and Moscow is a heavily traveled corridor for Russian tourists visiting Southeast Asia.
Sanitary quarantine control officers stationed at Russian entry points monitor arriving flights from countries experiencing infectious disease outbreaks. Thermal imaging technology enables medical personnel to quickly identify individuals displaying signs of fever without physical contact.
Rising coronavirus cases in Thailand
Thailand has recorded approximately 140,000 cases of COVID-19 infection since the beginning of 2026. The surge in reported cases has prompted Russian health authorities to step up monitoring for passengers arriving from the region.
Thailand is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Russian travelers, drawing large numbers of visitors during the autumn and winter resort seasons. COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness that can spread rapidly in crowded environments and international transit hubs.
Winter travel plans at risk
Holidays for Russians traveling to Thailand were previously reported to be at risk of disruption as a result of the ongoing outbreak. Many tourists who booked travel packages for November and December have already been warned about potential problems due to the high volume of infections.
Tourists planning trips to Thailand over the coming months face potential delays and heightened health checks as authorities track ongoing disease transmission in both countries.
