XXIV St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is a unique event in the world of business and economics. SPIEF has been held since 1997, and since 2006, it has been held under the auspices of the President of the Russian Federation, who has also attended each event.

Over the last 24 years, the Forum has become a leading global platform for members of the business community to meet and discuss the key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets, and the world as a whole.

The 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is set to take place on 2–5 June 2021. As in previous years, the business programme will focus on the global and Russian economies, social issues, and technological development.

The Forum will be held in strict accordance with health and safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, carefully drawn up by the Organizing Committee in line with the WHO recommendations. SPIEF 2021 will provide a full range of services to enable participants to effectively nurture and expand their business network and enjoy safe, productive participation, including in an enriching cultural and sporting programme.

If you wish to submit an application to attend SPIEF 2021, please sign up for a Roscongress personal account on the Foundation website.

The registration process for a Roscongress personal account consists of five steps. Step one is filling in your personal details. You will then be prompted to provide your passport information, information about your organization, and contact details. The fifth and final step is selecting the event you wish to attend. You can select SPIEF 2021 when registering for a Roscongress personal account, or submit an application from your account later.

Once you have completed the registration process, an email will be sent to the address you specified, containing your login and password for your Roscongress personal account.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

For the purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 infection, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2021 will take place in compliance with recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Rospotrebnadzor, the Russian Federal Service for Oversight on Consumer Rights Protection and Welfare.

If all prevention measures are complied with, attending the Forum will be safe for everyone.

For your safety and the safety of those around you, all those at the venue must comply with the protection measures prescribed by the organizers. With a view to everyone’s safety, the organizers may deny access to the Forum venue to those who fail to comply with these measures.

We ask the participants to be receptive to these prevention measures. The health and safety of the Forum participants, guests, and staff are top priority for the organizers of SPIEF 2021.

PCR testing at SPIEF 2021 approved testing centres

All participants of SPIEF 2021 and events that are part of SPIEF, media representatives and staff attending SPIEF events must take a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

The PCR test must be taken starting from 08:00 on 1 June and no later than 24 hours prior to arrival at the Forum venue at one of the approved testing centres. PCR testing is carried out upon presentation of an accreditation document (badge) or ID. Badges for venue access are activated according to the results of the PCR test.

To access the test all participants and media representatives must indicate the following when signing up for the Forum or post in the Roscongress personal account or personal web office (for media):

• information about their past coronavirus infection (COVID-19) status;
• information on presence or absence of COVID-19 antibodies (if the results are positive, please upload a scanned copy of the document confirming the presence of anti-bodies);
• information on presence or absence of COVID-19 vaccination (if positive, please upload a scanned copy of the document confirming vaccination);
• permanent residence address and temporary address in St. Petersburg during SPIEF 2021;
• foreign citizens arriving from abroad to attend SPIEF must upload a document (in Russian or English) confirming negative results of the COVID-19 PCR test that was taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to arrival in Russia and indicate which country they came from to Russia to attend SPIEF.

Testing dates

To attend the Forum venue during the dates of the Forum (2–5 June) the test must be taken starting from 08:00 on 1 June and no later than 24 hours prior to arrival at the Forum venue. Test results are valid through 5 June.

Plenary session attendees must take the PCR test on 3 June from 08:00 to 18:00. If a participant has already visited the Forum venue on 2 and 3 June, they must take the PCR test again to attend the plenary session. Test results are valid through 5 June.

PCR Testing Calendar

Please select the day you plan to visit SPIEF venue for the first time. Testing dates depend on the date you first visit the venue. Plenary session attendees must take the PCR test on 3 June from 08:00 to 18:00.

To visit the Forum venue during set-up starting at 08:00 15 May 2021 to 20:00 31 May 2021, PCR test may be taken starting on 13 May but no later than 24 hours prior to visiting SPIEF 2021 venue. After that the test must be taken every 7 days.

Test results

Badges for access to the venue are activated according to the results of the PCR test. Test results will be sent in an information letter and available at the Roscongress personal account or personal web office (media). There is no need to obtain test results on your own; they will be submitted directly to the Accreditation Centre for badge activation.

SPIEF 2021 approved PCR testing centres

PCR testing takes place only at approved testing centres – Rospotrebnadzor laboratories, specially equipped as part of SPIEF 2021. PCR testing is carried out upon presentation of an accreditation document (badge) or ID.

Preliminary list and operating hours of approved PCR testing centres (download)

Test results

Badges for access to the venue are activated according to the results of the PCR test. Test results will be sent in an information letter and available at the Roscongress personal account or personal web office (media). There is no need to obtain test results on your own; they will be submitted directly to the Accreditation Centre for badge activation.

Arriving in Russia

According to the resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation, international air service to a number of countries was resumed on 1 August 2020. There are regular and charter flights operated by Russian and foreign companies.

Foreign citizens arriving in Russia to attend SPIEF or any of the SPIEF events:

• when crossing the state border must present a document (in Russian or English)  confirming a negative result of the COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to arrival in Russia. We also ask that you upload that same document in the Roscongress personal account or media representative’s personal web office;
• must specify from which country they arrive in Russia to attend SPIEF.

There is no 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

More information is available in the Entry to Russia for foreign participants in SPIEF section.

COVID-19 prevention at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg

Pulkovo Airport was the first of Russian airports to obtain an international certificate of the Airport Health Accreditation Programme. This document confirms that the measures introduced at Pulkovo Airport for protection of passengers’ and employees’ health and safety during the pandemic are effective.

The Pulkovo Airport certification took place starting in late 2020 as an audit of over 100 criteria in passenger service areas in the terminal, including registration areas, pre-flight screening, departures, arrivals, baggage claim, restaurants, and shops.

1.     Thermometry

If a temperature over 37.1°С is recorded for anyone arriving, they will be examined at the first aid station at Pulkovo Airport for a provisional diagnosis and a decision on the need for hospitalization.

2.     Prevention of crowds at the Airport Terminal

Those who are meeting or seeing off passengers may not stay at the passenger terminal of the Pulkovo Airport for more than 2 hours. You will make a personal contribution to the improvement of the pandemic situation if you limit the number of people meeting/seeing you off.

3.     Disinfection of Airport premises

Touch surfaces, lifts, registration counters, screening areas, offices, and staff lounges are regularly disinfected. Antiviral cleaners are used for disinfection. Airplane ramps and passenger shuttles are disinfected regularly.

4.     Air sanitizing

Air is sanitized using ultraviolet recirculation units in those locations where passengers spend a long time. Unscheduled inspection has been made of the ventilation system on airport premises.

5.     Social distancing markings

Special markings have been made at the airport terminal and registration and screening areas to assist with social distancing of at least 1.5 metres.

6.     Staff uses personal protection equipment

Airport staff regularly receives masks, gloves, antiseptic wipes and gels. Employees change personal protection equipment every shift.

7.     Hand sanitizers

Hand sanitizers are available at all public locations and businesses of Pulkovo Airport.

8.     First aid station at the Airport

If feeling unwell or if there are questions about a passenger’s well-being, visitors and staff of Pulkovo Airport may contact the first aid station. The first aid station is located on the 2nd floor of the passenger terminal and is open 24/7.

9.     Everyone at the Airport terminal must use personal protection equipment

Vending machines with masks, gloves and antiseptic gels are installed at the entrance to the terminal, in the check-in areas, baggage claim area, and domestic departures area of Pulkovo Airport for convenience of passengers and those who welcome them. Personal protection equipment is also available at the airport pharmacies and shops in the passenger terminal.

Contact information

Information portal and centralised hotline for COVID-19 issues in the Russian Federation: 8 (800) 2000 112

Rostourism, Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation (for emergency help to tourists): +7 (499) 678 1203, +7 (495) 959 1566, +7 (915) 117 0451

Officers on duty at the Crisis Management Centre Department of the MIA of Russia: +7 (495) 587 8860, +7 (499) 244 1977, +7 (499) 244 1988, +7 (499) 244 2847

Preventive measures at SPIEF 2021 venue

1.     PCR testing and badge activation

You may only access the Forum venue, as well as locations of the cultural and sporting events if you have an accreditation badge. No later than 24 hours prior to entry to the event venue, all participants and staff must take a COVID-19 PCR test at approved testing centres – Rospotrebnadzor laboratories, specially equipped as part of SPIEF 2021. PCR testing is carried out upon presentation of an accreditation document (badge) or ID. Badges are activated according to the results of the PCR test.

Participants do not need to obtain test results on their own; they will be submitted directly by the lab to the Accreditation Centre. For more information please see the ‘PCR Testing before Visiting the Forum Venue’ paragraph.

2.     Collecting Information on antibodies/vaccination

To have access to PCR testing all participants and media representatives must indicate at registration to the Forum or post in the Roscongress personal account or media representative’s personal web office the following:

• information about their past coronavirus infection (COVID-19) status;
• information on presence or absence of COVID-19 antibodies (if the results are positive, please upload a scanned copy of the document confirming the presence of anti-bodies);
• information on presence or absence of COVID-19 vaccination (if positive, please upload a scanned copy of the document confirming vaccination);
• permanent residence address and temporary address in St. Petersburg during SPIEF 2021.

3.     Prevention measures en route to the venue

Participants, the driver, and staff must wear masks in shuttles and rented vehicles. Seats in the shuttles must be taken ensuring social distancing of 1.5 metres.

Touch surfaces in shuttles and rented vehicles are disinfected after every run. The vehicles are washed and disinfected after every shift.

4.     Thermometric monitoring

At the entrance to the Forum venue, all participants and staff have their temperature taken using non-contact temperature assessment devices. Participants and staff whose temperature is above 37.1°С or who have symptoms of infection or flu will not be allowed at the SPIEF 2021 venue.

5.     Personal protection equipment and disinfection

Participants and staff may only access the venue while wearing a mask. Masks must be worn during the entire time at the venue; the organizers are to provide disposable face masks and hand sanitizer.

The items are packed in clear packages and placed in special dispensers at the Forum venue. The dispensers are designed for the individual package size. They have an opening at the bottom for easy distribution of personal protection equipment.

It is recommended that masks are changed every two hours and that hand-sanitizer dispensers that are set up at the venue are used.

Official delegation members and chief executives may attend official events without a mask if the other participants tested negative in PCR testing and wear a mask.

Forum staff is provided with a supply of personal protective equipment (masks), disinfectants and hand-sanitizers. Dining area staff must wear masks and gloves at their workstations.

6.     Social distancing

Forum participants and staff must keep social distancing of 1.5 metres and follow special markings.

7.     Air sanitizing

Air-sanitizing equipment has been installed in conference halls and headphone disinfection/disposable headphones have been provided.

8.     Social distancing seating

Social distancing is maintained in seating event participants and speakers at the business programme halls.

9.     First aid at the venue

There is a first aid point at the Forum venue and ambulance crews are on duty for the entire duration of the Forum right next to the ExpoForum.

10.     Cleaning of surfaces with antiviral disinfectant

Surfaces at the Forum venue are cleaned with antiviral disinfectant.

COVID-19 Preventive measures in St. Petersburg

Safe travels programme

St. Petersburg was the first city in Russia to join the international Safe Travels programme that ensures safe tourism. Safe Travels is the first global initiative to ensure the safety of travel against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, launched by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in 2020.

A universal Safe Travels SPb sign for safe and comfortable tourism is effective in the St. Petersburg hospitality industry.

The St. Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development prepared safety standards for operations of organizations providing health resort, hotel, tourist and tour services, which was approved by Rospotrebnadzor and the World Travel and Tourism Council. The Protocols include key requirements for sanatorium routines, access particulars, and other required measures, such as:

• ensuring the use of non-contact service payment methods, where possible;
• installing hand-sanitizers in the foyer close to the entrance, as well as in common areas, enabling the practice of hand hygiene;
• ventilation and cleaning of premises with antiviral disinfectant takes place every two hours;
• ensuring that guests may purchase personal protection equipment and hand-sanitizers on the premises;
• organizing ‘entry filtering’ before start of shift where temperature is mandatorily taken using non-contact devices. Staff whose temperature is 37.1 °С or higher or with symptoms of flu may not come to work;
• providing staff with personal protection equipment (masks and gloves), disinfectants and hand-sanitizers;
• if guests or staff are found to have a higher temperature or other flu-like symptoms, the hotel submits the information to Rospotrebnadzor and assists in directing the patient to medical institutions according to Rospotrebnadzor’s orders.

For tourists, the sign is a guarantee that services provided by the tourist organizations comply with requirements of sanitary and hygienic regulations and safety standards. Please visit visit-petersburg.ru for more information and a complete list of programme participants in St. Petersburg (hotels, restaurants, theatres, museums, etc.).

Public institutions’ prevention measures and operating practices

The St. Petersburg Administration is actively preparing to host a large number of guests from various regions of Russia and the world, a task requiring very careful compliance not only with basic but also with supplementary protocols of epidemiological safety.

The positive trends in preventing the spread of the pandemic and improvement in the epidemiological situation enable the Russian government to raise restrictions on social life of the citizens, provided that the required safety measures are complied with. Inter-city and inter-regional travel is allowed throughout Russia.

There is strict control everywhere for compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures: wearing masks, social distancing, use of sanitizers, disinfection in public areas, etc. Mask has and gloves have to be worn when visiting shopping and personal service facilities, rail stations, the airport, public transportation stations, as well as in all types of public transportation, including taxis and at public transportation stops. At the same time as carrying out the COVID-19 prevention measures, the Government of the Russian Federation is implementing a programme for mass vaccination of Russian citizens, beginning with high-priority population groups and gradually widening the circle of those vaccinated.

What is open in St. Petersburg?

• Restaurants, bars, cafés, including those located at shopping centres, food courts, and food places.
• Cinemas, circuses, and concert halls. Maximum capacity is up to 75%.
• Oceanariums (provided the safety standards are complied with as well as ensuring that no more than 1 person is present per every 10 m2 of the oceanarium).
• Zoos and water parks.
• Museums, exhibits, and theatres.
• Sports facilities. The maximum capacity or arenas and stadiums is up to 75%.
• Up to 20 people may take a tour at a time.

What are the restrictions in St. Petersburg?

A ban has been put in place on visitors attending late night entertainment venues and nightclubs and smoking hookah/shisha in public places.

Medical Assistance

Documents

In order to receive timely medical assistance if the COVID-19 symptoms have been confirmed for you, please make sure to always carry with you an identification document (passport) and a Federal Compulsory Medical Insurance Certificate (valid in the Russian Federation).

If you are a foreign citizen, you must have your passport and migration card with you.

Hospitalization

Forum organizers are preparing a list of general and infectious medical institutions for emergency hospitalization in the event of illness of participants and staff ensuring Forum operations.

If persons with suspected cases of infectious disease are found, the information is immediately submitted to Rospotrebnadzor.

COVID-19 medical assistance for citizens of Russia

Regardless of where the compulsory medical insurance was issued, a citizen is entitled to all basic types of medical assistance anywhere in Russia.

COVID-19 medical assistance for foreigners

According to Decree No. 186 of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 6 March 2013 On Approval of the Rules for Provision of Medical Care to Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation:

• State and municipal medical institutions shall provide free medical care to citizens, uninsured under the compulsory medical insurance, including foreign citizens and persons without citizenship only in emergencies in cases of sudden acute illness or condition or chronic illness attacks constituting a life-threatening event.
• First medical assistance, including specialized first medical assistance shall be provided for free to foreign citizens in cases of illness, injury, poisoning or other conditions requiring emergency medical treatment.
• Emergency medical care (except first medical assistance, including specialized first medical assistance) and scheduled medical care shall be provided to citizens uninsured under the compulsory medical insurance, including foreign citizens and persons without citizenship under agreements for paid medical services.

The staff of medical institution contacted by a citizen for emergency or scheduled medical care shall do the following:

• check for identification document (passport);
• inform the patient that medical assistance shall be provided under an agreement for paid medical services and offer to execute an agreement;
• with patient consent, process source documentation (patient’s informed consent to paid medical assistance, paid service agreement, supplementary agreement including a list of paid medical services, patient’s consent to personal data processing, patient history).