St. Petersburg adopts strict measures to fight Covid-19: Russia’s second city goes into partial lockdown

Following Moscow’s lead, authorities in Russia’s cultural capital Saint Petersburg have imposed strict limits on movement, preventing most residents from leaving their homes except in emergencies or to do essential shopping.

Governor Aleksandr Beglov rolled out the measures on Monday evening, the day after Moscow introduced a similar regime, as Russian efforts to stymie the spread of Covid-19 intensify. The Baltic Sea city is one of Europe's largest, with a population of 5.4 million. The surrounding Leningrad Region, home to another 1.9 million people, has also put general travel restrictions in place.

In Saint Petersburg, the self-isolation rules are similar to those in Moscow: Residents are prohibited from leaving their homes except in cases of emergency or in order to seek medical help. They may shop at nearby pharmacies or grocery stores.

Those who are unable to work from home will be allowed to commute to their workplaces. 

Pet owners can walk their animals only within 100-meters of their residence and everyone is advised to keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters in public places.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin called upon all Russian regions to implement similar mandatory self-isolation policies to those adopted in the capital. Apart from Moscow and the surrounding Moscow region, the state of partial lockdown has already been imposed by over 20 other Russian federal subjects. 

Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!