Coronavirus: temperature of all those approaching Putin controlled

Text by: RFI Follow

The coronavirus epidemic continues to spread and cause concern around the world with sometimes surprising repercussions: in Russia, the Kremlin has thus decided to take the temperature of all those who participate in the same events as Vladimir Putin.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Moscow, Daniel Vallot

The information was given by several journalists who came to the Kremlin on Thursday to cover the meeting of the Council of State in the presence of Vladimir Putin. In addition to the usual security measures, a rather surprising procedure was added: the temperature control by a thermal camera of each of the journalists present.

The explanation was given in the wake of the Kremlin spokesman: "It is a precautionary measure ," said Dmitri Peskov.

For the moment, Russia remains relatively untouched by the disease : only two cases have been confirmed on the territory and they are Chinese nationals. In recent days, the Russian government has also multiplied reassuring messages to the population, claiming to have all the means necessary to deal, if necessary, with the epidemic.

But the measures taken by the authorities show their nervousness, starting with the closing last week of the land border with China. And the Kremlin's decision to take the temperature of anyone approaching Vladimir Putin should not reassure anyone in Russia worried about the possible spread of the virus.

Read also: Coronavirus: in China, cities in slow motion and a growing epidemic

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Download the app

• Russia
• coronavirus
• Vladimir Poutine

On the same subject

Coronavirus: Malaysia fights fake news on social networks

Coronavirus: slowdown in cities and a growing epidemic in China

Coronavirus: the cry of the heart of the parents of Senegalese students confined to Wuhan