One of the lawmakers present for Putin's speech this week is now quarantined, after hiding a trip to France and failing to self-isolate

State Duma deputy Sergey Katasonov recently returned from France without disclosing the trip or self-isolating for two weeks, as required to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This information comes from Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the head of Katasonov’s political party, who says he was informed “by Sheremetyevo [airport].”

After returning from France, Katasonov attended meetings at the State Duma and was present for Vladimir Putin’s speech on March 10, when the president made a rare visit to the legislature to endorse a constitutional amendment that would “zero out” his term clock.

At the suggestion of Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Katasonov has been barred from entering the State Duma building for the next two weeks. Volodin also advocated quarantines for Katasonov’s aides and everyone who came into contact with him, including other deputies who sat anywhere near him in the legislature. 

On March 5, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin issued a formal order demanding that all residents returning from coronavirus-affected countries (including France) isolate themselves for two weeks, staying home from work and minimizing their time in public places.

On March 11, Duma Vice Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy announced that he was self-isolating after returning from a Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe conference in France.