MOSCOW, June 12. /TASS/. Non-working days from June 15 to June 19, 2021, preserving wages for employees, are established in Moscow, the city mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced on Saturday.

"In order to halt the increasing incidence rate and save people's lives, today I signed a decree setting non-working days from June 15 to June 19, 2021, with the preservation of wages for workers. Thus, the ‘long weekend’ in Moscow will last 9 days - from June 12 to June 20,2021," Sobyanin wrote in his blog.

He clarified that this decision applies to enterprises and organizations of all forms of ownership, which usually do not work on weekends (Sundays). "But, of course, it does not apply to organizations that are critical for ensuring the functioning of urban infrastructure, as well as defense enterprises, Rosatom, Roscosmos, and some other strategic industries in accordance with the decree of the Russian President No. 316 from May 11, 2020," Sobyanin said.

He noted that according to epidemiologists, it is now necessary if not to stop, at least to reduce the rate of coronavirus spread.

Newly diagnosed coronavirus cases

The number of newly diagnosed coronavirus cases in Moscow increased to peak values of 2020, Sobyanin wrote in his blog.

"Over the past week, the situation with the spread of coronavirus has deteriorated sharply. The number of newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases has jumped to last year’s peak values," he said.

He also noted that due to the complicated situation with coronavirus in the city, thousands of beds were once again redesigned to provide medical care for a large flow of patients. Doctors also noted that there are many seriously ill patients. "And not only among the patients from ‘traditional’ risk groups. Many middle-aged and even young people are seriously ill," the mayor emphasized.

Over the past day, 6,701 new coronavirus cases have been detected in Moscow. At the same time, 1,657 people were hospitalized over the day, 67 patients died, all of them had pneumonia and a positive test result for COVID-19.

Moscow restaurants and amusement attractions

Moscow restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs, karaoke, bowling alleys, discos are prohibited from serving visitors from 23:00 to 06:00 on June 13-20, with the exception of takeaway service, Sobyanin announced.

"Catering organizations (restaurants, cafes, bars), as well as nightclubs, karaoke, bowling alleys, discos, and other entertainment establishments, are prohibited from serving visitors at night - from 23:00 to 06:00 (with the exception of takeaway service)," he wrote in his blog.

 Amusement attractions, playgrounds, sports grounds, rental points, gazebos, and other recreational and entertainment facilities in Moscow parks will be closed on June 13-20, Sobyanin announced.

"From 13 to 20 June 2021 ... amusement attractions, playgrounds and sports grounds, rental points, gazebos, and other recreational facilities will be closed in large city parks and in natural areas. You will be able to only walk in parks," he wrote in his blog.

The authorities also recommended that organizations and enterprises return as many employees as possible to the remote mode of work, especially those who have not been vaccinated. This is especially important for people over 65 or those who suffer from chronic diseases, Sobyanin emphasized.

The mayor also urged older people to refrain from traveling, and all citizens to strictly observe anti-pandemic measures and actively vaccinate against coronavirus.