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Over 100 med teams to be on duty near water in Moscow on Epiphany

More than 120,000 people participated in the Epiphany bathing last year. This year, more are expected to plunge into icy water

MOSCOW, January 18 (Itar-Tass) — More than 100 first aid teams will be on duty in Moscow at places where people will plunge into icy water to mark Epiphany on Friday night.

Drunk people will not be allowed into cold water. Special instructions will be given to sober citizens who intend to dive.

A total of 110 first aid teams will be on duty at the bathing places, Moscow health department head Georgy Golukhov said on Friday. In addition, reserve teams will be in readiness, he told a meeting that discussed current Moscow issues on Friday.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin ordered to attentively monitor health of Muscovites during the outdoor bathing.

The head of the Moscow department for inter-regional cooperation, ethnic policies and ties with religious organizations, Yuri Artyukh, added that all participants would receive appropriate instructions. Those drunk will not be allowed, he stressed.

According to Artyukh, more than 120,000 people participated in the Epiphany bathing last year. This year, more are expected to plunge into icy water.

There will be places to dip into water in all the districts of Moscow. A total of 57 places are prepared, including 17 in the Troitsk and Novomoskovsk districts. All the sites are examined to meet safety and sanitary requirements. Each has special safe ways down to the water. Rescuers, volunteers, police and medical teams will be on duty near the holes in ice. There are lights, changing cabins and toilets at all the places. Hot tea will be offered everywhere.

The bathing time will begin on Friday, January 18, at 15:00 and end at 04:00 on Saturday and on January 19 will last from 12:00 till 24:00.

There will be police posts to prevent unsanctioned bathing at places where it is not allowed.

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