Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Russia Introduces New Coronavirus Measures


Tue 27 Oct 2020 | 11:29 AM
Yara Sameh

Russian authorities on Tuesday ordered people to wear masks in some public places, as well as asked regional authorities to consider shutting bars and restaurants overnight, following a surge in coronavirus cases.

The consumer health watchdog told regional authorities to make masks obligatory in parking lots, public transport, elevators, and taxis, starting Wednesday, October 28.

It also recommended that bars and restaurants should close between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. (2000 GMT to 0300 GMT).

Some cities, including the capital Moscow, have already made masks mandatory on public transport.

Russia has seen a surge in new coronavirus infections in recent weeks, prompting the authorities to open temporary hospitals and urge the population to take precautionary measures.

However, the authorities have said they will not repeat the total lockdowns imposed across the country earlier this year.

Russia had registered 1,520,800 infections, the world's fourth-largest coronavirus caseload after the United States, India, and Brazil.