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Kremlin sees no point in reviewing rally authorization rules over COVID-19 restrictions

Most countries banned everything altogether in view of the epidemiological situation, the spokesman stressed
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov  Mikhail Metzel/TASS
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov
© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. The Kremlin does not consider it necessary to review the rules of authorization of political rallies amid the coronavirus pandemic, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday, commenting on the point that the activists find it difficult to negotiate an authorized rally due to the pandemic.

According to Peskov, "most countries banned everything altogether due to the covid restrictions."

"There is no point in inventing special regimes for covid. We must take decisive action in order to prevent the spread of the disease," the spokesman said.

Commenting on the point regarding a contradiction between the sanitary regime and the freedom of public expression, Peskov underscored that "people cannot express their opinion in a manner that threatens the life and health of entire cities, this must not be possible."

Speaking about other mass events that took place amid the pandemic, including the Victory Parade, Peskov noted that "these events are more orderly," adding that the Kremlin sees no problem in prohibiting all rallies due to the pandemic.

"No, there is no problem here. However, the practice may differ between regions. Applications are being filed, and some regions authorize them, while others do not, depending on the epidemiological situation. They [the regions] are given special powers [to decide for themselves], and the situation is different between regions," he concluded.