"Opportunity to contain the spread of the virus": a non-working day regime began to operate in the Moscow region

On Thursday, October 28, a period of non-working days began in Moscow and the Moscow region, which will be valid until November 7 inclusive.

The relevant decrees were approved by the heads of the subjects on October 21.

The work of most organizations will be suspended for 11 days in the capital region, except for those that provide the infrastructure, continuous-cycle companies, as well as a number of federal institutions.

As Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin noted, the decision to declare non-working days was made due to the fact that the epidemiological situation with COVID-19 in the Russian capital is developing according to the worst scenario, there is a sharp increase in the incidence.

“As experience shows, non-working days are the most effective way to reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, as they allow you to break the maximum number of chains of spread of the disease in a short time,” the mayor explained.

Later, the deputy mayor of the Russian capital for social development Anastasia Rakova stressed that this 11-day period should be used to the fullest by the townspeople - to spend days with their families, go to the country house or get vaccinated: “The so-called epidemiological holidays are an opportunity to contain the spread of the virus in city ​​".

In turn, the deputy head of the Moscow Department of Health, Elena Khavkina, indicated that the authorities expect Moscow to reach peak values ​​for the incidence of COVID-19 at the end of this week.

“Moscow today, like the whole world, is experiencing a new, fourth wave, unfortunately, we expect that by the end of this week, probably, we will have a fairly high peak in incidence,” she said on October 26 during the WHO plenary meeting Regions for Health.

As noted in the capital's headquarters, the 11-day non-working day should cover two incubation periods of the delta coronavirus strain, which is up to five days.

Rospotrebnadzor emphasized that in September 97% of coronavirus cases in the country were caused by the delta strain.

From October 28 to November 7 in the Russian capital, all medical organizations, including private ones, will continue to provide routine medical care as usual.

In turn, dental offices will provide only emergency or emergency care.

In addition, COVID-19 vaccination and rapid testing sites will continue to operate in public service centers and shopping malls as usual.

Also, during this period, grocery stores and retail outlets will be able to continue their activities, where the share of food and non-food essential goods is at least 30% of the assortment.

The rest of the stores are allowed to work remotely using delivery.

Cafes and restaurants will also be able to work on pick-up or delivery.

Exceptions will be catering establishments at hotels and hostels, corporate canteens and buffets - only guests and employees can visit them.

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For 11 days, cinemas, concert halls, circuses, zoos (except for areas located on the streets), beauty salons, beauty salons, spa and massage parlors, solariums, baths and saunas, sports complexes, fitness clubs and swimming pools, as well as organizations providing personal services.

At the same time, theaters and museums can continue to work with the condition of 50% occupancy of the hall and the use of QR codes.

In addition, mass cultural, entertainment, sports, entertainment and other events will be prohibited in the capital, with the exception of those that are carried out by decision of state authorities or in agreement with Rospotrebnadzor.

The capital's centers of public services "My Documents" will be focused on the online format - through the portal it will be possible to obtain the necessary public services, and in 25 centers on duty they will provide services only for divorce (according to previously submitted applications) and registration of death.

At the same time, it will be possible to obtain a birth certificate for a child right at the hospital.

According to the previously submitted applications, the capital's registry offices will also work, and the ceremonies themselves will take place in the Wedding Palaces, registry offices and at the offsite sites of Moscow without any celebrations and in the absence of guests and photographers.

It is also mandatory to comply with coronavirus restrictions - wearing masks and social distance.

From October 28 to November 7, the city announced a vacation for students of city, federal and private schools, as well as schools of additional and sports education.

At the same time, duty groups will be organized in kindergartens for preschool children whose parents have no one to leave at home.

Despite all the above restrictions, public transport in Moscow will continue to work as usual, but in compliance with sanitary requirements.

The authorities did not impose restrictions on citizens' access to travel by metro, buses, trams, MCC and MCD.

In particular, schoolchildren will be able to use a Muscovite card for travel.

In addition, no one restricts Muscovites to walks in parks and outdoor playgrounds.

The Moscow headquarters for control and monitoring of the situation on coronavirus assured that the extension of non-working days after November 7 is not planned.