Transport policy in the grip of a moral dilemma: a post-COVID reopening of the Russian borders

Abstract

The future of international passenger transport is largely determined by how the post-COVID border opening will proceed. The restoration of full-fledged work of transport enterprises and other sectors of the economy in the conditions of a new normality, as well as the life and health of people depend on this. On the example of Russia, it was found that post-COVID border opening is characterized by contradictory trends: opening borders is more difficult and longer than closing them; ensuring epidemiological security is imposed on the principles of reciprocity, proximity and poorly diagnosed political preferences. According to epidemiological indicators, the re-closing of borders may be hindered by the limited state budget for providing economic assistance to affected transport enterprises, the unwillingness of the authorities to ‘annoy’ the population with unpopular decisions. At the same time the widespread information coverage in the mass media of news related to the disease in other countries can contribute to border re-closing. In such conditions, transport policy balances between a choice in favor of epidemiological well-being and a decline in the economy, or in favor of economic recovery with a deterioration in the epidemiological situation. The presented results and identified trends can be used in the implementation of transport policy and ensuring epidemiological safety.