Coronavirus: traders relieved by loosening containment in Moscow

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Passers-by on a Moscow street on June 1, 2020. REUTERS / Maxim Shemetov

Text by: Daniel Vallot Follow

In Russia, the daily number of new cases of Covid-19 remains high, for a total which exceeds 400,000 registered cases. Despite everything, the authorities say they are confident and believe that the hard part is over. As a result, non-food businesses in the Russian capital were allowed to open. A relief for many traders who were on the verge of bankruptcy, for lack of financial support from the state.

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From our correspondent in Moscow,

Alla is a florist in central Moscow and it has been two months since the little chime installed at the door of her store had not sounded. Behind her counter, the young woman is ready to receive her first client.

We put this marking on the ground so that people respect the distances,  " she explains. All surfaces are treated with a disinfectant, and of course we ask customers to put on gloves and masks, just like us!  "

A relief for the young florist, who finds her business after two months of confinement. Also a relief, a few meters away, in this ready-to-wear boutique. We have come close to disaster,  " says its manager, Angela Zakharovna.

I was scared, of course I was scared, like everyone else ... In the neighborhood I think that several businesses will remain closed. As for state aid, we were told about zero-rate credits, but it's blah-blah. We have received nothing at all,  ”laments the trader.

According to some estimates, a third of Russian companies are at risk of shutting down due to the economic crisis caused by the virus. For her part, Angela hopes to overcome the ordeal, and maintain her activity. We have loyal customers  ," she reassures herself. I only hope they haven't lost their jobs  ."

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  • Russia
  • Coronavirus
  • Economy
  • Confinement

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