Moscow eases lockdown despite high virus caseload
Shopping malls and parks are set to reopen in Moscow on Monday as the Russian capital eases coronavirus restrictions despite getting the world’s third-largest caseload.
The relaxation of the confinement orders in Moscow, the epicentre of Russia’s outbreak with a population greater than 12 million, comes after President Vladimir Putin announced the epidemic had passed its peak in the united states.
Under lockdown since March 30, residents of Europe’s most populous city were until now only permitted to leave their homes for brief trips to look, walk dogs or happen to be essential jobs with a permit.
While Muscovites welcomed the chance to go back to parks and malls after weeks to be cooped up at home, many ridiculed the Moscow mayor’s “experiment” targeted at regulating people’s walks and exercise.
As a two-week test measure, Sergei Sobyanin said residents of Moscow will be allowed to take walks according to a staggered schedule predicated on their home address.
“Regular walks are allowed between 9am and 9pm but only three times a week - twice on weekdays as soon as on a weekend,” said Sobyanin on his blog, adding a detailed schedule would be released separately.
People can jog or exercise between 5am and 9am but must wear masks, based on the new rules.
Sobyanin said he feared that without limits on walking, persons would throng the streets in scenes reminiscent of May Day outpourings in Soviet times.
