Russia: Authorities to tighten COVID-19 restrictions in Moscow November 13 /update 49

Event

Russian authorities have announced on Tuesday, November 10, that they will impose restrictions on the opening times of clubs, bars, restaurants, and other entertainment venues in Moscow from Friday, November 13 until January 15 due to a surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases. These businesses must close between 23:00 and 06:00 (local time) and the government stated that raids will be carried out and those who fail to comply with the new restrictions will be fined. Colleges and universities in the capital will also be required to return to online teaching.

In late October, the federal government ordered local authorities to enforce the mandatory use of face masks in some public places. Under the new nationwide measures, people are required to wear face masks in parking structures, lifts, and taxis, as well as on public transport. Mask requirements were already in place in some cities, including Moscow, but had not previously been introduced in many other areas of the country.

As of Tuesday, November 10, there have been 1,781,997 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Russia with 30,546 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.