Russian authorities do not yet see any reason for introducing new restrictions in connection with the spread of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova.
“As we respond to the situation and its development in the PRC, we will either act in a tough mode or in the mode in which we are now interacting in a planned manner. When it comes to the harsh regime, we are talking about an emergency, ”RIA Novosti quoted Golikova as saying.
The Vice Prime Minister concluded that so far there has been no emergency, "there are no grounds for introducing any restrictive measures within the country, except for those that have already been introduced."
Golikova added that Russian scientists are working on a vaccine, however, according to her, China still has not passed the 2019-nCoV virus strain to Russia.
- Chairman of the operational headquarters for the prevention of the importation and spread of new coronavirus infection in Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova during a briefing at the Government House
- © Dmitry Astakhov / RIA News
“The Chinese side did not present us with the opportunity to use its data regarding the vaccine and the strain, so we are doing this work from the sources available to us, from what we have today,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
At the same time, according to Golikova, Russia will send on Tuesday, February 4, five representatives of the Ministry of Health and Rospotrebnadzor to China to help Chinese colleagues in the fight against coronavirus.
Speaking about air traffic, Golikova noted that there are no grounds for its complete cessation yet. However, charter flights that transport Russians from China may cease to function from February 14.
“Those charter flights that return our citizens from China to the Russian Federation, we would like to stop on February 14th. And therefore, I appeal to our citizens who are in the PRC so that they make a responsible decision to return, ”the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
The Chinese side expects that the response of the Russian authorities to the 2019-nCoV threat will be adequate to the needs. This point of view was expressed by Fan Xianzhong, plenipotentiary minister of the Chinese Embassy in Moscow.
He noted that in the current situation he does not see the need to completely stop travel and trade between countries.
“Given the very high level and friendliness of relations between China and Russia, we hope and are confident that the Russian side will not take such drastic measures,” the diplomat said. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
At the same time, the ambassador expressed the opinion that “light at the end of the tunnel” is planned in the fight against coronavirus. According to him, the turning point in this situation will come soon. The diplomat noted the importance of stabilizing the condition of all infected people and providing them with quality treatment.
“I think that we will quickly deal with the current situation. The light is already visible at the other end of the tunnel, so we are working with such confidence, ”the diplomat believes.
Recall that in late December, Chinese authorities reported an outbreak of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, located in the province of Hubei. In the PRC, more than 17 thousand people contracted a new disease, 362 people died.
It is known that the virus is transmitted by airborne droplets and contact routes. The main symptoms of the disease are fever, sore throat and muscles, shortness of breath, nasal congestion and chills.
The virus has spread worldwide. According to available information, outside of mainland China, a new type of coronavirus has been detected in more than 180 people. The largest number of cases are in Japan (20 people), Thailand (19) and Singapore (18).
There are two infected with the virus on the territory of Russia, both are citizens of China. They were hospitalized in Transbaikalia and the Tyumen region. According to the Rospotrebnadzor, their condition was assessed as satisfactory.
Deputy Prime Minister Golikova said that all foreigners infected with coronavirus in Russia will be forcibly quarantined until they recover completely. According to her, most Russian regions have adopted action plans to combat the spread of the virus.
Note that monitoring of people with suspected infection in Russia continues. Over the past weekend, doctors in Moscow alone examined more than 1.3 thousand hotel guests and more than 1 thousand Chinese students.
As stated in the Federal Tourism Agency, all organized groups of Russian tourists from China returned to Russia.
The head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova said that, taking into account the number of cases, the risk of bringing a new coronavirus infection into Russia remains, but the authorities are taking all necessary measures in this situation.
“The reservoir of infection is quite large, and the risk for the Russian Federation remains today, therefore, we are taking all measures absolutely adequate to respond to and prevent the spread and spread of the virus in our country,” RIA Novosti quoted her as saying.