People wearing face masks are seen at a subway station in Moscow, Russia, on June 9, 2020. Russia added 8,595 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking its total to 485,253, the country's coronavirus response center said in a statement Tuesday. Moscow lifted most of its coronavirus-related restrictions Tuesday as the situation in the city has improved, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Monday. (Xinhua/Evgeny Sinitsyn)
MOSCOW, June 8 -- Moscow will lift most of its coronavirus-related restrictions starting Tuesday as the situation in the city has improved, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Monday.
"For several weeks, slowly but surely, the pandemic has been on the decline. The number of new cases is reducing and more people are discharged from hospitals than admitted," Sobyanin said on his website.
"All this allows moving step by step to normal life," he added.
He announced that from Tuesday self-isolation will be cancelled together with the digital passes, currently required for people to move around the city or leave it.
Moscow residents, including those aged above 65 and those with chronic diseases, will be able to freely leave home starting Tuesday.
Also from Tuesday, hairdressers, beauty salons, photo shops, veterinary clinics and employment agencies can resume work.
Car sharing restrictions will be cancelled, while non-governmental organizations, cinemas, recording studios and research institutes will be able to return to normal. Theaters, concert organizations and circuses can start holding rehearsals.
From June 16, restrictions will be lifted on dental clinics, libraries, real estate offices, rental services, advertising, consulting and other agencies that provide services to individuals and businesses.
Museums, exhibition halls and zoos will reopen from June 16, and the public can attend sports events provided that no more than 10 percent of the stands are filled.
Sobyanin said the Moscow authorities plan to reopen restaurants and cafes in two stages: starting from June 16, summer verandas will be launched, and a week later stationary catering establishments will resume work.
From June 23, restrictions will be lifted on kindergartens and the health industry, including fitness clubs and pools.
Moscow, Russia's worst-hit region, reported 2,001 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday, taking its tally of infections to 197,018, including 2,970 deaths.
