Russia relaxes epidemic prevention and restricts people's lives to gradually return to normal

  □ Zhang Chunyou, our correspondent in Russia

  On June 8, local time, Russia announced that it would open the border to allow some people to enter and leave Russia to look after their loved ones or seek treatment. At the same time, various regions in Russia have introduced defensive measures. Moscow Mayor Sobyanin announced on June 8 that Moscow will lift the self-segregation policy, the electronic pass system, and the temporary rules for citizens to go out on June 9. Against the background of normalization of epidemic prevention and control, Russia's economic and social vitality is gradually recovering.

Choice under normalized epidemic situation

  At present, the epidemic situation of Russia's new coronary pneumonia has stabilized and shows a easing trend. All Russia has maintained a level of 8500 to 9000 new cases per day for a week. The World Health Organization assessment believes that Russia is still in the peak platform period of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic. Popova, the Russian general epidemic prevention division, said on May 25 that "Russia's national epidemic situation is becoming more stable."

  The epidemic has lasted for nearly three months in Russia, and the Russian economy has long been overwhelmed. Russian Minister of Economic Development Leshetnikov pointed out that affected by the epidemic prevention measures, Russia loses about 100 billion rubles (about 10.3 billion yuan) every day, and every extended week of paid leave, Russia’s annual GDP will be lost . At the same time, during the epidemic, there were also increased incidents of fighting in Moscow due to economic disputes. On May 15th, there was a conflict between merchants and managers in the "Gourmet City" market outside the Moscow ring. On the 26th of that month, a similar conflict occurred again in the market, and Moscow dispatched special forces to block the market before quelling the situation.

  Sobyanin said that the epidemic cannot end in a short time, and its impact on personal life and economic development will become the norm. He also believes that finding a new balance between curbing the economic downturn and fighting the epidemic and minimizing the impact of the normalization of epidemic prevention and control on political stability is Russia’s top priority, and gradually lifting the ban, especially in Moscow, becomes the key step.

  According to the unblocking regulations announced by Sobyanin, from the 9th, the self-isolation policy, electronic pass system and citizens of Moscow citizens (including residents over 65 years old and patients with chronic diseases) and foreigners (including foreigners and foreigners) will be lifted Provisional rules for going out for a walk. Among them, beauty salons, photo studios, veterinary shops and other places resumed operations; cemeteries lifted restrictions; parks opened; theaters, performance organizations and circuses can resume rehearsals. From the 16th, public libraries, museums, exhibition halls, zoos, housing intermediary agencies, advertising consultation and other institutions will be fully restored; the public catering industry may open outdoor catering services. From the 23rd, the public catering industry will resume full operation, the fitness club and swimming pool will be reopened, and the kindergarten will resume classes.

 Orderly lifting of bans across Russia

  Under the circumstances that the new coronary pneumonia epidemic has not yet been fundamentally controlled, especially in Moscow, the "severely hit area" of the epidemic, lifting the self-isolation ban is undoubtedly risky. But it is gratifying that as of press time, from the statistics of several days of lifting the ban, the outbreak in Moscow did not follow the lifting of the ban, but continued to show a trend of decline and mitigation.

  In addition to Moscow, various places in Russia have recently introduced measures to check closures. At present, more than 40 subjects of the Russian Federation, including states and border regions, have allowed adults to go out for a walk and exercise while maintaining social distance. 50 federal subjects allow non-food stores to operate, and even close contact with industries such as haircuts. It is also allowed to reopen in about 40 federal entities.

  At the same time, Russia is gradually relaxing restrictions on the entry of foreign citizens and the exit of its own citizens. In response to the epidemic, Russia will implement measures to restrict entry and exit from March 16 this year. With the improvement of the overall situation, especially the lifting of the ban in Moscow, Russia is gradually restoring international flights and relaxing the entry restrictions for foreign citizens.

  Russian Prime Minister Mishustin said at the meeting of the New Corona Virus Coordination Committee on June 8 that foreign citizens can enter Russia under certain circumstances. According to the order signed by Mishustin, foreigners who come to Russia to treat and care for their relatives can enter the country for a single time; Russian citizens can leave the country for reasons such as studying, working, seeing a doctor, and caring for their sick relatives abroad. According to the decree, all persons entering or leaving the Russian border must hold personal identification documents, visas (or meet the conditions for visa exemption), invitation letters from medical institutions, or related documents to prove kinship.

  In addition, with the gradual implementation of the lifting of Moscow’s embargo, the preparations for the large military parade to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the victory of World War II were postponed due to the epidemic situation, and the rehearsal of the first military parade in Moscow has been conducted at the station. According to the order of Russian President Putin on May 26, a military parade will be held in major cities including Moscow on June 24. At the same time, the mass march of the "Immortal Corps" is tentatively scheduled for the Navy Festival on July 26. Putin's press secretary Peskov said on June 10 that Putin himself will attend the military parade on June 24 at the Red Square in Moscow.

Economic and social life gradually recovering

  Sobianin pointed out at the Epidemic Prevention Conference on June 10 that if the epidemic does not occur repeatedly, the people of Moscow are expected to return to normal life within two months. Analysts believe that with the gradual lifting of restrictions in various regions, the Russian economy is also expected to gradually recover.

  Moscow’s deputy mayor Yefimov pointed out on the 9th that according to predictions, about one million people will resume work in the first week of Moscow’s lifting of the ban, including employees who worked at home during the isolation order. During isolation, about 1 million people in Moscow stopped working, and more than 3 million people were forced to work from home.

  On the first day of lifting the ban on June 9, according to the traffic statistics of Russia's "YANDEX" real-time statistics, Moscow's night peak traffic jam reached a level of 7, and the traffic jam in the center of the city was particularly serious. This situation is close to the normal state before the epidemic.

  Andrea, the courier of the Russian "platypus" food network, said in an interview with the "Legal News" that after the lifting of the ban, citizens no longer need to apply for electronic passes, but they still need to wear masks and gloves, but everyone's vigilance has declined. The number of people who go shopping in supermarkets has increased significantly, and the number of people who order daily necessities through the Internet has decreased significantly. "It used to take 3 to 5 days to order and deliver goods online, and sometimes even a week later, but now as the number of orderers decreases, the city of Moscow can deliver the same day," Andre said.

  Russian Minister of Economic Development Leshetnikov pointed out on May 27 that since the restrictions were gradually lifted from various regions on the 12th of that month, Russian economic activity has returned to 79% of the pre-epidemic level. According to Russian media reports, with the successive implementation of the lifting of the ban, the Moscow economy will gradually recover its former vitality, and it will be reflected within a week at the earliest.