26 Mar 2020 11:55

All Moscow stores but groceries to be closed on March 28 - April 5

MOSCOW. March 26 (Interfax) - Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin signed a decree on Thursday ordering all retail stores in the city, except for pharmacies and shops selling essential items, to remain closed from March 28 to April 5.

"All retail stores, except for pharmacies, pharmacy branches, as well as all groceries and shops selling individual categories of non-food essential items, shall be temporarily closed," Sobyanin said on his website on Thursday.

The measure is also applied to all Moscow restaurants and cafes he said.

"Restaurants, cafes, bars, canteens, and other public catering facilities are suspending their operation, except for takeaway and delivery services," Sobyanin said.

Beauty parlors, baths and spas will be closed in Moscow during the weeklong holiday, he said.

"It is necessary to suspend services that require personal presence of customers (for instance, hairdressing)," Sobyanin said.

He ordered that beauty parlors, spas, hairdressers parlors, tanning salons, baths, and other facilities rendering such services except for those providing their services in a remote format or making deliveries suspend their operation.

Sobyanin also asked Muscovites not to visit religious sites amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Being aware of the feelings of Moscow believers, I still recommend and ask them to abstain from visiting religious sites on these days," he said.

Sobyanin urged Russian citizens residing outside the capital not to visit Moscow for a while, considering that travel industry facilities are temporarily out of service.

"I am asking readers of my blog from other regions. Moscow is always hospitable and glad to welcome guests. However, on these days, I would recommend abstaining from trips and avoiding the unnecessary risk, especially as the entire travel industry of Moscow has taken a pause," he said.