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Moscow Lifts its Coronavirus Restrictions

Charles Maynes

   MOSCOW - After more than 2 months of shutdown due to the coronavirus,
   Russia's capitalsprung back to life this week--'¯'¯withcity authorities
   lifting restrictions on most business closings and stay at home rules
   for Moscow's 12 million plus residents.'¯'¯

   Moscow Mayor SergeiSobyaninannounced the policy shift Monday -- arguing
   the city had made great progress against the virus, with the pandemic
   "slowly but surely" on the decline over the past few weeks.'¯

   "The struggle isn't over. But nonetheless, I want to congratulate you
   with our latest victory and big step towards a return to normal life,"
   added[1]Sobyaninin a video address published to his official blog.

   Indeed, the city has seen its daily infection numbers halved since the
   peak of the virus in May -- with a government task force reporting just
   over 1,195 new cases Wednesday.

   But the capital also remains the epicenter of the outbreak, with around
   40% of Russia's more than 493,000 coronavirus cases.'¯'¯

   The count put Russia third in global rankingsWednesdayfor COVID-19
   infections, behind the United States and Brazil.

   Putin'splan,Take Two

   Amid the uncertain epidemiological picture were suggestions that
   Kremlin politics, rather than science, lay behind the decision to
   reopen the capital.'¯

   The lifting of restrictions comes as President Vladimir Putin moved
   forward with plans to hold key political events upended by the outbreak
   earlier this spring.'¯ '¯

   A military parade on Red Square initially to mark the 75th anniversary
   of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II last
   month was pushed back to June 24th amid concerns over the contagion.

   Then there isa rescheduled nationwide constitutional referendum July
   1st. The vote's key provision removes presidential term limits --
   opening the door for President Putin to remain in power well into the
   next decade.'¯'¯

   In the choreographed summer schedule, critics saw political ambitions
   driving public health decisions.'¯

   "Well that's it. We've beaten the coronavirus, "wroteKiraYarmash, a
   spokeswoman for opposition leader AlexeyNavalnyin a post to [2]Twitter.
   "Just two weeks before the parade and the vote'¦how
   convenient!"'¯Yarmashwrote.

   Journalist DmitryNaboshaargued the public was being let out just long
   enough to vote and give Mr. Putin the result he desired. "8:00 pm on
   July 1st and it's back to quarantine," wroteNaboshaon his [3]Facebook
   page.'¯'¯

   Independent Russian media have openly posited that MayorSobyaninwas
   pressured by the Kremlin into reopening the city ahead
   ofschedule,'¯'¯acharge Kremlin spokesman DmitryPeskovdismissed during
   his press briefing Tuesday.

References

   1. https://www.sobyanin.ru/otmena-samoizolyatsii-i-propuskov
   2. https://twitter.com/Kira_Yarmysh/status/1269961446772875270
   3. https://www.facebook.com/navosha/posts/10157407904553177

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