Daily Confirmed Cases Exceed 37,000
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young]As the fourth wave of COVID-19 rapidly spreads in Russia, some regional governments with severe outbreaks are strengthening quarantine measures, including issuing work suspension orders.
According to TASS news agency and others, six regions including the southwestern Voronezh Oblast, Kursk Oblast, southern Samara Oblast, central Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, northwestern Novgorod Oblast, and Perm Krai near the Ural Mountains have entered a two-week work suspension period from the 25th (local time) until November 7.
During this period, all commercial and service facilities such as restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, and health clubs, except pharmacies and grocery stores, will be closed. All workplaces except essential infrastructure facilities necessary for city functions will also be shut down. Kindergartens and elementary to high schools will begin their vacations, and universities will conduct remote classes online only.
The work suspension measures in these six regions extend the period beyond the nine-day suspension order (from October 30 to November 7) previously issued nationwide by President Vladimir Putin on the 20th.
The capital city Moscow, where 5,000 to 8,000 new daily cases are being reported, designated an 11-day suspension period from the 28th to November 7. Starting from the 25th, enhanced quarantine measures restricting outings for seniors aged 60 and above and those with underlying health conditions have been implemented.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin issued a mayoral decree on the 19th mandating that citizens aged 60 and above and those with underlying diseases self-isolate at their residences for four months from the 25th of this month until February 25 next year. However, those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered from infection within the past six months are exempt from these restrictions. Moscow city also instructed local businesses to have at least 30% of their employees work from home during this period.
The resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Russia, which began again in mid-last month, is intensifying, signaling the full onset of the fourth wave. The daily new cases, which surpassed 20,000 in mid-September, have steadily increased to exceed 30,000 by mid-this month. The low vaccination completion rate in the 30% range and non-compliance with quarantine rules such as social distancing and mask-wearing are cited as causes for the rapid increase in cases.
According to the COVID-19 Inflow and Spread Prevention Headquarters, Russia recorded a daily new case high of 37,930 on the 25th. The total new deaths nationwide also reached 1,069, maintaining a daily death toll in the 1,000 range.
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