From October 1, Belarus is changing rules at the border, in public transport, and in the financial sector. Some medicines will become more expensive, A1 will update conditions for subscribers, and fishermen will face restrictions. Belavia will resume flights to Thailand and Sri Lanka and start flying to Bangkok, while Belaruskbank will change the rules for working with other people's cards in the app. We have gathered the main changes that will take effect in October.

Border registration will be given 30 days

Starting October 1, individuals will have 30 days from the moment of payment to use the electronic queue registration at the border or to get a refund.

During this time, you must either drive to the waiting area, complete online registration in your personal account, or submit a request for a refund. If nothing is done within 30 days, the registration will cease to be valid.

Belavia resumes flights to Thailand and Sri Lanka

The airline is resuming flights to Phuket and Sri Lanka, and from October 25 it will start flying to Bangkok.

Bangkok — from October 25, once a week on Sundays on an Airbus A330-200.

Phuket — first flights — October 21 and 23, from October 29 — twice a week: on Thursdays and Sundays. Return flights — on Fridays and Mondays.

Sri Lanka (Mattala, Hambantota Airport) — from October 27, on Tuesdays on an Airbus A330-200.

In addition, on October 30 Belavia will resume regular flights between Minsk and Zhukovsky Airport near Moscow.

Controllers will work differently

Starting October 5, controllers in public transport must continuously record video and audio during ticket checks. Passengers must be warned in advance about the recording: the controller’s clothing will have a special chevron or another sign with the relevant information.

The Ministry of Transport has also set rules for handling the recordings. They cannot be used for personal purposes, altered, unlawfully copied, or distributed. Access to video and audio will be granted only to certain employees.

Belaruskbank will introduce changes regarding cards

Starting October 1, you will not be able to add a card issued to another person, for example a relative, in the M-Belarusbank app.

If someone else’s card is already added to the app, it must be deleted by October 1: “Cards” — select the card — “Settings” — “Delete card”. If you do not do this, you will not be able to use any cards in the app. However, the card or account itself will not be blocked — you will still be able to use them for payments.

To continue using someone else's account through your app, you can issue an

In addition, starting October 19, some conditions of the A1 Pay service will change — they concern the procedure for transferring funds when providing the payment service.

Fishing will be restricted

Starting October 1, fishing in wintering pits will be prohibited in Belarus. The ban will last until April 15 and applies to both recreational and commercial fishing.

The list of places where fishing will be banned can be found via the link. The restrictions are due to the fact that fish gather in these areas for the winter. During this time fish are less active, making them easier to catch.