Moscow says a new ‘system’ to control residents' movements will be deployed by the end of the week

By the end of the week. That’s how soon Moscow officials say they plan to roll out a new system to control the movements of local residents under Mayor Sergey Sobyanin’s new self-isolation orders. “With every day, we’ll be exerting more control over this situation. By the end of the week, I hope we’ll have information systems that will allow us to control residents’ movements almost completely and prevent violations that could occur,” says Mayor Sobyanin, as reported by the news agency Interfax. “We’re also waiting on a federal law that will allow us to work more actively on this issue,” he added.

The mayor says Moscow officials decided to expand the city’s self-isolation orders from targeted risk groups (senior citizens and Muscovites who have recently returned from abroad) to the entire population because too many people have ignored the authorities’ recommendations to stay home, in order to curb the spread of coronavirus. Sobyanin says roughly one in five Muscovites flouted the government’s advice.

As of March 30, Russia had 1,836 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across 71 different regions of the country. The largest cluster is in Moscow, with 1,226 confirmed cases. Beginning on March 30, Moscow went on indefinite citywide self-isolation. 

During the lockdown, Muscovites are only permitted to leave their homes only to commute to work (if their place of work is still open), to shop at the nearest store or pharmacy, and to seek emergency medical assistance. People can also step outside to throw out the garbage or walk their pets. It is still possible to leave or enter the city, as well.

According to Meduza’s sources in the city government, Moscow officials plan to control residents’ movements through a “smart system” that relies on QR-codes. Locals will reportedly get unique QR-code after registering at mos.ru and providing the address where they currently live.

The mayor’s office hasn’t yet revealed what penalties the authorities will impose on those who violate the new self-isolation orders. Meduza’s sources say this behavior will likely be treated as a misdemeanor administrative offense.