MOSCOW, February 25./TASS/. Moscow authorities may lift some more restrictions imposed over coronavirus within a month or two if the downward trend in the number of hospital admissions persists, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Thursday.
"We see <...> a stable trend towards a reduction in the infection rate, though the number of cases is still quite big. About 500 to 600 people are hospitalized daily," the mayor said.
"However, recently the figure was 1,700 [a day]. I hope that if this trend persists, we will lift these restrictions within the next month or two," the mayor told Vesti news program on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
Free travel on public transport remains suspended for Moscow residents over 65 years of age. A ban is still in place on mass events and festivals in the traditional format, while wearing masks and gloves is compulsory in stores and on transport.
On January 27, Sobyanin cancelled the requirement for employers to transfer 30% of staff to working remotely. Now the management of enterprises can decide whether to return the employees to the office or to retain the remote mode of operations. At the same time, self-isolation is still in place for the elderly and representatives of risk groups suffering from chronic diseases. Additionally, restrictions have been lifted on operation of clubs and restaurants from 23:00 to 06:00.
On February 4, the mayor stated that the main restrictions due to the coronavirus could be lifted in Moscow by May. At the same time, he noted that it is still too early to conduct mass events in Moscow as well as to cancel prematurely the stay-at-home regime for elderly residents and people from risk groups.