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St. Petersburg bans all mass events over coronavirus fears

13 March 2020 16:39 (UTC +04:00)

Authorities in St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city, have banned all mass events to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the city’s government press service said on Friday, APA reports citing TASS.

Under a decree, signed by Governor Alexander Beglov, starting from March 16 and until April 30, 2020 a ban will be introduced on holding theater and entertainment, cultural and educational, sports and other mass events "with more than 1,000 participants."

Public organizations and associations have been ordered to refrain from holding public events. Legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, who are engaged in activity in the places of mass gathering and transport services, have been advised to carry out disinfection measures on a regular basis. The same recommendations are for private and state educational organizations.

Besides, Russian citizens who live or temporarily stay in St. Petersburg have been advised to refrain from trips abroad and also visiting mass events. Those individuals, who have arrived in St. Petersburg from China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, France, Germany and Spain, have been asked to self-isolate themselves at home for 14 days since their return and be examined by a doctor.

Authorities in St. Petersburg have also canceled or delayed international educational events, including the 11th St. Petersburg International Educational Forum, which was scheduled for March 17-29. This year, the organizers received nearly 3,000 applications, a record-high number over the past four years. The delegates from 10 countries and 59 Russian regions were expected to attend the event.