#16,258
Although many have questioned the accuracy of the COVID case numbers (and deaths) we get out of Russia (see Russia accused of undercounting Covid deaths) the numbers we have seen have been rising steadily - and hitting new records - for the past couple of weeks.
Regardless of the actual numbers, the trends in infections, hospitalizations, and deaths is headed in the wrong direction, and yesterday the Mayor of Moscow - Sergei Sobyanin - issued sweeping new COVID restrictions.
Among them is a quota of work-from-home employees, and a directive that those who are unvaccinated and over 60 - or are unvaccinated and have chronic health conditions - to stay home for the next 4 months (October 25, 2021 to February 25, 2022).
The Mayor outlines these new COVID restrictions in his personal blog, (translated) excerpts of which I've posted below:
Sergei Sobyanin
Yesterday at 16:30
Coronavirus. About home mode for seniors, teleworking and other solutions 10/19/21
Dear friends,
In September, Moscow entered a new period of growth in the incidence of COVID -19. Compared to August of this year, the number of detected cases of infection has increased 4 times - up to 42 thousand cases per week.
The number of people hospitalized in hospitals with a severe form of the disease is growing every day. If at the end of summer we hospitalized 400-500 people a day, then recently - 1200-1500 people daily. The number of patients in a serious and extremely serious condition has also doubled.
(SNIP)
Of the 3 million Muscovites aged 60+, only 1.14 million people were vaccinated - just over a third.
As a result, today 60% of patients in covid hospitals are Muscovites over the age of 60. Almost 80% of people on mechanical ventilation are elderly people. Among those who died from covid, their share reaches 86%. And, as a rule, they weren't vaccinated.
In this situation, we must take urgent measures to protect the older generation and other vulnerable categories of citizens.
I of . From October 25, 2021 to February 25, 2022, Muscovites over the age of 60 and citizens suffering from chronic diseases must again observe the home regime - at their place of permanent residence or in garden plots. Walks and physical education in the fresh air are not limited. Working citizens have the right to get sick leave.
At the same time, elderly and chronically ill Muscovites are exempted from the need to observe a home regimen if they have been ill with COVID -19 within the last 6 months, or have been vaccinated .
II . Also from October 25, 2021 to February 25, 2022 . employers operating in Moscow are obliged to switch to remote work mode:
- at least 30% of the total number of employees;
- all employees over 60 years of age and suffering from chronic diseases. The only exception is for employees whose presence in the workplace is critical to the functioning of the organization.
The requirement to switch to remote work does not apply to vaccinated and recovered workers, as well as to employees of medical organizations, defense enterprises, Rosatom, Roskosmos and some other strategic industries.
We recommend, first of all, transferring unvaccinated and non-sick employees of pre-retirement age and those who, for health reasons, are in the high-risk area.
III . The chief sanitary doctor for the city of Moscow made a decision ( decree of October 19, 2021 No. 3 ) to increase the requirements for compulsory vaccination of service workers.
In accordance with it, enterprises and organizations working in these industries are required to ensure vaccination of at least 80% of the total number of employees by January 1, 2022 . Vaccination with the first component must be carried out by December 1, 2021.
My dear grandparents,
I am well aware of how tedious and uncomfortable the current restrictions are. But there is simply no other way to save you from a serious illness.
Please get vaccinated. Thus, you will protect your health and will be able to maintain your usual lifestyle.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Your Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin
While the numbers we get from Russia (and many other nations) may be suspect, we are almost always better served by watching what they do, than what they say.
And it is pretty obvious that Russia's recent rise in COVID cases has sparked heavy concern in some very high circles of government.