“I think it will be possible to take off the masks when all employees are vaccinated or get sick,” RIA Novosti quoted Pokrovsky as saying.

He added that the final decision will depend on the general epidemiological situation.

“It is important to remember that the epidemic is not over at all, now there are many more cases than we had in some intermediate summer period last year.

An outbreak can occur anywhere and at any time, ”Pokrovsky said.

He recalled the need to wash hands and use disinfectants.

Earlier, Pokrovsky expressed the opinion that a third wave of coronavirus is not expected in Russia due to the growth of herd immunity in the population.