Moscow, Russia’s capital and Europe’s largest city with a population of 12 million, on Monday imposed a coronavirus lockdown.
Under the new measures, all nonessential shops, including restaurants and cafes are closed. Citizens will only be allowed to leave their homes in case of a medical emergency, to travel to essential jobs and to shop for food or medicine.
The mayor’s office said it will deploy “smart monitoring” to enforce the new rules and will develop a special pass system for residents to leave their houses.
President Vladimir Putin has declared a “nonworking” week in the country. He has also postponed the public vote on his constitutional reforms, that would allow him to seek reelection in 2024 by restarting the term count.
The nationwide vote was scheduled for 22 April. However, after pressure from the opposition, Putin has postponed the vote, saying that the safety of citizens was his main priority amid the pandemic.
Russia currently has 1,835 infections and 9 deaths. However, critics argue that the real number of infections is higher, considering the low level of testing. Observers see the 37% increase in pneumonia cases in Moscow in January as a sign of unreported coronavirus cases.
Moscow goes on full lockdown
EPA-EFE/MAXIM SHIPENKOV
A Chinese tourist wearing a medical protection mask walks at the Red Square in Moscow, Russia, 26 January 2020. The outbreak of coronavirus has so far claimed 56 lives and infected more than 2000 others, according to media reports. Russian health and immigration officials have taken action to screen those arriving at the country from China over the virus fears.
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