UPDATE 3: Russian Railways cancels train to Estonia – last train to Europe

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MOSCOW, Mar 19 (PRIME) -- Russian Railways will cancel direct trains to Estonia and back starting from Friday and Saturday, respectively, the company said in statement on Thursday, thus cancelling its last direct train to Europe over the coronavirus outbreak.

“In coordination with the management of AS Esti Raudtee (Estonian Railways) and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection, international passenger cooperation between Russia and Estonia will be suspended from March 20. Resumption of transportation will be announced later,” the statement read.

A train from Moscow to Tallinn will be cancelled on Friday, while a train from Tallinn to Moscow will be cancelled on Saturday, Russian Railways said.

The company also cancelled passenger trains between Russia and Azerbaijan from Friday.

“In coordination with Azerbaijan Railways (Azerbaycan Demir Yollari) and to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection, traffic of international passenger trains is suspended. Resumption of transportation will be announced later,” the company said.

Russian Railways will also keep only two transit passenger trains that connect Kaliningrad with other Russian cities through Lithuania.

Earlier in the day, Lithuania imposed a limit of 100 passengers per train that are allowed to pass through the country to Kaliningrad and back, and Russian Railways is now working together with the Foreign Ministry to obtain details of the restriction and discuss possible abolishment, the Russian state railway monopoly said.

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