Moscow tightens its lockdown with residents only allowed out to go to work, hospital or the shops as coronavirus cases in the city pass 1,500
- Russia has been lightly hit by the virus so far, with nine deaths and 1,534 cases, but it recorded 270 new infections in the past day so will lockdown from Monday
- The coronavirus outbreak has entered a new phase in Russia as the number of cases exceeded 1,000 in the capital with concerns it’s not being taken seriously
- Moscow Patriarch Kirill, exhorted believers to pray at home and urged people to adhere strictly to authorities’ instructions ‘before someone dies in our families’
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Moscow authorities will impose tighter restrictions on residents from Monday in an attempt to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
According to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, Muscovites will only be allowed to go out to buy food or medicines at their nearest shop, get urgent medical treatment, walk the dog or take out the bins.
Those needing to go to work will also be allowed to leave their flats, and authorities will introduce a system of passes in the coming days.
On his website, Sobyanin stated: ‘Gradually but steadily, we will keep tightening control as needed in this situation.’
Chief physician Denis Protsenko (centre) shows round Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (left) and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin (right front) on their visit to a hospital
Russia has been relatively lightly hit so far, with nine deaths and 1,534 cases, but it recorded 270 new infections in the past day.
Earlier on Sunday, Sobyanin said the coronavirus outbreak had entered a new phase as the number of cases exceeded 1,000 in the capital and complained that many residents took recommendations to stay home very lightly.
The head of Russia’s Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, exhorted believers to pray at home and urged people to adhere strictly to authorities’ instructions ‘before someone dies in our families’.
According to Russian news agency RIA, Patriarch Kirill said: ‘Refrain from visiting churches,’ even though Orthodox services went ahead, including one led by him.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, right, the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, sits with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow during a meeting in 2018
About 60 per cent of Russia’s 144 million people consider themselves Orthodox Christians, but fewer were worshipping in churches on Sunday and some were wearing masks, according to media reports.
Russia has halted international flights, closed borders, announced a non-working week from this weekend, and closed shops and entertainment venues in Moscow and some other regions.
Sobyanin said many Muscovites were still going out. At least 52,000 people took walks in city parks on Saturday, and many elderly people made long trips on public transport.
‘The situation with the spread of coronavirus has entered a new phase,’ Sobyanin wrote.
He added: ‘An example of miserable Italian and Spanish cities, even New York, where tens and hundreds of people die every day, is in front of everyone’s eyes.’