St. Petersburg to introduce new coronavirus restrictions after Russia’s second Euro 2020 match
St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov has signed a decree on strengthening the city’s public health measures due to the spread of the coronavirus infection.
The new restrictions will come into force on June 17 — the day after the Russian national men’s team is set to play Finland in its second match in the Euro 2020 soccer championship at St. Petersburg’s Gazprom Arena stadium.
According to the decree, the city will temporarily suspend the provision of catering services, as well as the work of food courts and children’s playrooms in cafes and shopping centers. Restaurants will also be temporarily suspended from operating between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., with the exception of takeaway services.
Restrictions will also be imposed on public events: the maximum occupancy in movie theater halls will be reduced from 75 percent to 50 percent, and the maximum number of spectators at both indoor and outdoor events will be limited to 3,000 people.
Euro 2020 fan zones will also be subject to new restrictions: masks will be mandatory from June 14 and from June 17 no food sales will be permitted in the fan zones, with the exception of beverages.
Russia has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases since the beginning of June. On June 13, the country recorded 14,723 new coronavirus cases, the highest daily increase since February. In Moscow, the surge in cases has prompted the authorities to declare June 12–20 “non-working days.”
As part of the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, St. Petersburg is hosting six group-stage matches and one quarterfinal game. In addition to the Russian national men’s team, teams from Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden are scheduled to play in St. Petersburg.