Russian authorities on Tuesday ordered people across the country to wear facemasks in some public places and asked regional authorities to consider shutting bars and restaurants overnight after a surge in coronavirus cases, Russian media reported.
The consumer health watchdog told regional authorities to make masks mandatory in parking lots, elevators, taxis, and public transport. Some cities, including the capital Moscow, have already made masks mandatory on public transport.
It also suggested they close bars and restaurants between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. (2000 GMT to 0300 GMT). Russia has seen a surge in new COVID-19 infections in recent weeks, prompting the authorities to open temporary hospitals and urge the population to take precautionary measures.
The authorities have said they will not repeat the total lockdowns imposed across the country earlier this year. Russia had reported 1,547,774 infections, the world’s fourth-largest COVID-19 caseload after the United States, India, and Brazil.
France should get ready for “difficult decisions” on new measures to cope with the resurgence of COVID-19, interior minister Gerald Darmanin said on Tuesday before a cabinet meeting to discuss the pandemic.
