Moscow Mayor extends quarantine restrictions until May 31

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced that quarantine restrictions in place in the capital will be extended until May 31, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

As such, the self-isolation regime will remain in effect for all residents, along with restrictions on businesses and services, as well as on cultural, educational and sporting activities, and “all other non-essential sectors,” the Mayor’s website says.

According to Sobyanin, “it’s still too early” to reopen restaurants, theaters, and sports facilities.

Earlier, the Moscow Mayor announced that beginning on May 12, masks, respirators, and gloves will become mandatory for anyone using public transport. These will also need to be worn in stores, shopping malls, and when taking taxis.

The digital permits already in place for workers will be automatically extended until May 31.

On the morning of May 6, Russian officials announced that the country recorded 11,231 new coronavirus infections in the past day — a 6.7-percent spike (there were 10,559 new cases than the day before) — bringing the nation’s total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 177,160 patients. Nearly half of newly confirmed cases are reportedly asymptomatic, and Moscow’s share of new cases has risen to 59 percent.

Another 88 people reportedly died from the disease, raising Russia’s total number of fatalities caused by COVID-19 to 1,625.