Moscow authorities have extended the COVID-19 restrictions for another week, with the exception of pupils returning to schools from Monday.
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Thursday said that all other restrictions have been extended until January 21, with universities, colleges, and other educational facilities remaining on remote learning.
Other restrictions include bars and restaurants having to close early, the wearing of masks in shops and on public transport, and businesses having to limit the number of staff in offices.
Last month, Russia launched a voluntary vaccination program with its Sputnik V vaccine. Sobyanin said Moscow’s vaccination program was “gaining momentum”, but added that only a gradual reduction in restrictions was possible, as the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals remained high.
On Thursday, authorities reported 24,763 new infections, including 5,893 in Moscow, taking the total tally to more than 3,495,000. The nationwide death toll stood at nearly 64,000, but the figure is believed to be much higher.