Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced coronavirus restrictions in the Russian capital are extended until May 31.
Wearing masks and gloves will be mandatory for those at work, out shopping or on public transport, the mayor said.
While the situation in Moscow has “stabilized,” social distancing and other restrictions will also need to remain in place, Sobyanin added.
The mayor said that while the number of daily infections recorded in Moscow is still “quite large,” this is likely due to an increase in testing and not to an actual increase in the spread of infection.
A more important indicator is that the number of hospitalizations with severe and moderate pneumonia has stopped growing over the past two weeks,” he said.
Moscow industrial and construction enterprises will be able to resume work on Tuesday, but only essential employees will report to work. Those who can work remotely will stay home. Regular spot testing for coronavirus will be enforced as well.
The mayor said it’s still too early to reopen restaurants, theaters, and sports facilities.
The Russian government has extended nationwide lockdown measures until next Tuesday. But President Vladimir Putin said some measures may be extended and tightened in locations around the country on a case-by-case basis.
