Status: October 21, 2021 2:25 p.m.
The corona numbers are still dramatic – Moscow will close all shops that are not necessary for basic services from the end of next week. Schools and kindergartens are also closing. The regulation should initially apply until November 7th.
Due to rising corona numbers, Russia’s capital Moscow will close again from October 28th – initially until November 7th. During this time, there are nationwide non-working days prescribed by President Vladimir Putin.
Schools, kindergartens, shops, bars and restaurants will have to close again, announced Mayor Sergej Sobyanin. Cinemas and fitness clubs will also remain closed. Restaurants and cafes should still offer take-away food and drink.
Theaters and museums are allowed to stay open – however, according to Sobjanin, the occupancy rate can only be 50 percent. Visitors must also prove that they have been vaccinated or have recovered. All measures could be extended if necessary, said the mayor.
More than 1000 deaths a day
The number of new infections in Russia had risen to new highs again and again in the past few days. On Thursday, the government’s task force reported 36,339 confirmed new infections and 1,036 deaths in 24 hours, bringing the death toll in Russia to 227,389 – by far the highest number in Europe.
On Saturday, the number of deaths reported daily exceeded the 1000 threshold for the first time.
Only a third have been vaccinated so far
The government blames in particular a lack of willingness to vaccinate for the high numbers. Only about 45 million Russians – about a third of the nearly 146 million inhabitants – are fully vaccinated.