However, pharmacies and supermarkets should remain open from October 28 to November 7, as Mayor Sergej Sobyanin wrote on his blog on Thursday. Shopping centers, cinemas and fitness clubs remain closed. During this time, President Vladimir Putin has prescribed non-working days nationwide in order to stop the further rapid spread of the coronavirus.
“Even in Moscow, the situation is developing after the worst scenario,” said Sobyanin, explaining his approach. Schools and kindergartens should therefore also close. Restaurants and cafes are only allowed to offer take-away food and drink. Theaters and museums, on the other hand, are allowed to continue working – however, according to Sobjanin, the occupancy rate may only be 50 percent. In addition, visitors must prove that they have been vaccinated or have recovered. All measures could be extended if necessary, said the mayor.
The situation in Russia with its 146 million has been worsening for weeks. On Thursday, the statistics showed a new high with 1036 corona deaths within one day. In addition, there were more than 36,300 new infections – more than ever since the beginning of the pandemic. The government sees the main cause in the low vaccination rate. According to this, only about 30 percent of the population are finally vaccinated.