Moscow Goes on Partial Lockdown Starting Oct. 28
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has announced a non-working
week from Oct. 28 until Nov. 7 to “break the maximum number of disease
transmission chains in a short time,” according to the decree published
Thursday.
Russia registered its highest number of one-day coronavirus
deaths and infections since the start of the pandemic Thursday as scientists
warn of a potentially more infectious variant of the fast-spreading Delta
strain further overwhelming hospitals.
The non-working week provides a paid vacation or orders for
non-essential businesses to furlough their workers.
The additional restrictions announced Thursday suspend
businesses, services, catering, sports, recreation, entertainment and film
screenings with the exception of organizations that serve city infrastructure
and sell essential goods like medicines and food.
Restaurants are allowed to stay open for delivery, while
corporate catering establishments and restaurants in hotels are allowed to
operate with restricted access.
Theaters and museums are allowed to stay open at 50%
attendance capacity for visitors with masks and QR codes proving vaccination,
recent negative PCR test or antibody test results. Mass events, except those
authorized by health officials, will be banned.
Moscow administrative offices will suspend their office work
during the period with the exception of emergency civil registration services.
Government services will still be available online, but in-person public
services will be suspended.
Kindergarteners and school students sent home between Oct.
28 and Nov. 7. Students at higher learning institutions will switch to remote
learning.
From Nov. 8, Muscovites over the age of 60 will have their
free public transport passes suspended with the exception those vaccinated in
the past 6 months.
After the end of the non-working week, QR codes and masks
will be mandatory for attending theaters, museums, as well as for concerts,
entertainment, cultural and sports events with 500 people or more in
attendance, the Moscow decree said. Capacity at events will be capped at 70%.
On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin approved the
imposition of the non-working week while allowing local governments to
determine the guidelines.
The Moscow region introduced identical restrictions
following mayor Sobyanin’s announcement.
Source: themoscowtimes.com
No comments