MOSCOW, March 15, 2022 (BSS/TASS) - Masks and mandatory anti-COVID
measures for enterprises and organizations, based on the Moscow mayor's
earlier decree, are set to be abolished in the Russian capital starting from
March 15, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on his blog on Tuesday.

   "The stable improvement of the epidemiological situation allows us to make
a long-awaited decision. As of Tuesday, March 15, 2022, we are abolishing the
requirement to use protective masks. In addition, mandatory anti-COVID
measures for enterprises and organizations, established by a decree of the
mayor of Moscow, are abolished: regular measurement of the workers' body
temperature, installation of separation partitions at workplaces, and so
forth. Under the current circumstances, this decision will also support
business, already experiencing serious sanctions pressure," the mayor wrote.

   About the mask mandates

   Wearing masks and gloves became mandatory in stores and on transport, in
businesses and public places in the capital on May 12, 2020. On July 30,
2021, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said that wearing gloves in transport and
public places in Moscow would no longer be mandatory, but masks were still
required.

   The fine for violating mask mandates for individuals in Moscow
enterprises, which include stores and shopping centers, is 4,000 rubles
(almost $36). Stores are obliged to refuse to service customers without
personal protective equipment. If customers refuse to put them on or leave
the store, employees have the right to call the police. The penalty for not
wearing masks on public transport in the capital is 5,000 rubles (almost
$45). Since October 16, 2020, Russia's Federal Service for Surveillance on
Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing forbade entry to passengers on
Moscow public transport without personal protective equipment, even if they
had already paid for the ride.