themoscowtimes--2020-04-16--Putin Postpones 75th Victory Day Parade Over Coronavirus

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday postponed a landmark military parade to mark the 75th anniversary of Soviet victory in World War II , as Russia struggles to contain the rapid spread of the coronavirus .
The `` risks associated with the epidemic , whose peak has not passed yet , are extremely high , '' Putin said .
`` This does not give me the right to begin preparations for the parade and other mass events now . ''
He said the event would be held later in 2020 .
Russia commemorates the Soviet Union 's victory over the Nazis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive military display that sees thousands of troops and tanks parade through Red Square and military jets fly in formation over the capital .
This year 's parade was meant to be a major showcase for Putin , with world leaders and veterans from all over Russia invited to watch and take part in events over four days .
Moscow had stopped short of postponing the parade as the number of coronavirus infections across the country grew , but the ambitious plans had seemed increasingly unrealistic in recent weeks .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a new record increase of 3,448 infections reported Thursday .
There have been 27,938 cases of infections and 232 deaths , according to official figures , but the real number is believed to be higher .
Thursday 's decision came a day after veterans groups urged the Kremlin to call off the event over concerns for health and safety .
A letter signed by the heads of three veterans ' organisations urged Putin to `` take a difficult but , as we see it , fair decision to hold the military parade @ @ @ @ @

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday postponed a landmark military parade to mark the 75th anniversary of Soviet victory in World War II, as Russia struggles to contain the rapid spread of the coronavirus.
The "risks associated with the epidemic, whose peak has not passed yet, are extremely high," Putin said. "This does not give me the right to begin preparations for the parade and other mass events now."
He said the event would be held later in 2020.
Russia commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over the Nazis each year on May 9 with a massive military display that sees thousands of troops and tanks parade through Red Square and military jets fly in formation over the capital.
This year's parade was meant to be a major showcase for Putin, with world leaders and veterans from all over Russia invited to watch and take part in events over four days.
Moscow had stopped short of postponing the parade as the number of coronavirus infections across the country grew, but the ambitious plans had seemed increasingly unrealistic in recent weeks.
The number of Russian coronavirus cases has been accelerating, with a new record increase of 3,448 infections reported Thursday.
There have been 27,938 cases of infections and 232 deaths, according to official figures, but the real number is believed to be higher.
Thursday's decision came a day after veterans groups urged the Kremlin to call off the event over concerns for health and safety.
A letter signed by the heads of three veterans' organizations urged Putin to "take a difficult but, as we see it, fair decision to hold the military parade on another date."


themoscowtimes--2020-04-16--Russian Clinics Repurpose Snorkels to Fight Coronavirus

The Russian branch of the French sports equipment company Decathlon told AFP it had `` blocked '' sales of 6,000 masks from dozens of shops around the country , distributing them free of charge to hospitals on request instead .
Russian hospitals overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic and running low on personal protective equipment are repurposing commercial snorkel masks to safeguard medical staff and patients , following a trend in Europe .
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has been accelerating , with a new record increase of 3,448 infections reported Thursday .
Official figures show 27,938 cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real number is believed to be higher .
President Vladimir Putin on Monday acknowledged shortages of protective equipment for medical personnel and warned that the country had not yet reached the peak of the epidemic .
Decathlon 's entire stock of diving masks will be distributed by the middle of next week , Russia CEO Jeremy Angelard told AFP , adding the decision was made following requests from doctors .
After being sterilized and modified , the masks can aid Covid-19 patients with breathing difficulties or be worn by caregivers and medical personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are using 3D printers to make valves that can connect the masks to ventilators .
`` Depending on what you print , they can be used both as personal protective equipment and as a respiratory mask , '' said Vadim Sizov , head of the anesthesia department at the Ilyinskaya hospital in Moscow which treats Covid-19 patients .
He said hospital staff facing PPE shortages had begun wearing the masks , which were used by patients too .

The Russian branch of the French sports equipment company Decathlon told AFP it had "blocked" sales of 6,000 masks from dozens of shops around the country, distributing them free of charge to hospitals on request instead.
Russian hospitals overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic and running low on personal protective equipment are repurposing commercial snorkel masks to safeguard medical staff and patients, following a trend in Europe.
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has been accelerating, with a new record increase of 3,448 infections reported Thursday.
Official figures show 27,938 cases of infections and 232 deaths, but the real number is believed to be higher.
President Vladimir Putin on Monday acknowledged shortages of protective equipment for medical personnel and warned that the country had not yet reached the peak of the epidemic.
Decathlon's entire stock of diving masks will be distributed by the middle of next week, Russia CEO Jeremy Angelard told AFP, adding the decision was made following requests from doctors.
After being sterilized and modified, the masks can aid Covid-19 patients with breathing difficulties or be worn by caregivers and medical personnel.
In Russia, doctors and start-ups are using 3D printers to make valves that can connect the masks to ventilators.
"Depending on what you print, they can be used both as personal protective equipment and as a respiratory mask," said Vadim Sizov, head of the anesthesia department at the Ilyinskaya hospital in Moscow which treats Covid-19 patients.
He said hospital staff facing PPE shortages had begun wearing the masks, which were used by patients too.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-16--Cheap Ruble Drives Russia’s Drug Prices Up 15% – Kommersant

Industry experts link the price hike to manufacturers spending more on imported active ingredients and the upkeep of foreign equipment @ @ @ @ @ taken a hit against the U.S. dollar .
A number of Russian vendors have begun @ @ @ @ @ up to 15 % because of the ruble ’ s devaluation during the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ business daily reported Thursday .
The 10-15 % price increase has also affected the cost @ @ @ @ @ cited an unnamed pharmaceutical industry source as saying .
Sergei Shulyak , the head of @ @ @ @ @ research agency , explained that several vendors raised prices because they anticipate higher costs for @ @ @ @ @ at some chains has grown by as much as 50 % in mid-March as Russians @ @ @ @ @ up at the outset of the national coronavirus outbreak , Kommersant reported .
Since they @ @ @ @ @ months ’ worth of medicine , Shulyak forecasts that prices won ’ t go up @ @ @ @ @ because of reduced demand during Russia ’ s coronavirus quarantine .

Industry experts link the price hike to manufacturers spending more on imported active ingredients and the upkeep of foreign equipment as the Russian currency has taken a hit against the U.S. dollar.
A number of Russian vendors have begun to raise drug prices by up to 15% because of the ruble’s devaluation during the coronavirus pandemic, Russia’s Kommersant business daily reported Thursday.
The 10-15% price increase has also affected the cost of life-saving drugs, Kommersant cited an unnamed pharmaceutical industry source as saying.
Sergei Shulyak, the head of the DSM Group pharmaceutical market research agency, explained that several vendors raised prices because they anticipate higher costs for future supplies.
Year-on-year demand at some chains has grown by as much as 50% in mid-March as Russians raced to pharmacies to stock up at the outset of the national coronavirus outbreak, Kommersant reported.
Since they have amassed up to six months’ worth of medicine, Shulyak forecasts that prices won’t go up again in the coming months because of reduced demand during Russia’s coronavirus quarantine.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-16--Over 100 IKEA Migrant Workers Infected Near St. Petersburg

The Leningrad region , which surrounds Russia ’ s second-largest city of St. Petersburg , has reported 330 Covid-19 cases since the start of the outbreak .
Over a four-day period , 123 mostly mild coronavirus cases have been reported in the hostel in the village of Novosergiyevka east of St. Petersburg .
One-third of all coronavirus infections in a northwestern Russian region are concentrated in a crowded hostel that houses migrant workers involved in construction at an IKEA-owned shopping mall , local media reported Wednesday .
The hostel is rented by a Turkish construction contractor whose migrants are involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nearby IKEA-owned shopping center , the local 47news.ru website reported .
“ The shopping center ’ s employees did not have direct contact with the contractor ’ s sick workers , ” the outlet quoted IKEA as saying .
Regional authorities described the hostel as “ illegal.
” Health officials set up a field hospital on hostel grounds to isolate the infected and prepare for a possible outbreak among its estimated 485 residents .
“ We decided not to hospitalize them because there ’ s around 500 people there , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region ’ s press service as saying .
“ Plus , most cases are mild and don ’ t require hospitalization.
” Authorities have opened a criminal probe into health violations leading to mass illness , a crime punishable by up to two years in prison .
They did not name the suspects .
The Leningrad region ’ s governor , Alexander Drozdenko , also ordered an inspection into all hostels following the mass infection at Novosergiyevka .
St. Petersburg , a city of 5.5 million , is Russia ’ s third hardest-hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus infections and seven reported deaths .

The Leningrad region, which surrounds Russia’s second-largest city of St. Petersburg, has reported 330 Covid-19 cases since the start of the outbreak. Over a four-day period, 123 mostly mild coronavirus cases have been reported in the hostel in the village of Novosergiyevka east of St. Petersburg.
One-third of all coronavirus infections in a northwestern Russian region are concentrated in a crowded hostel that houses migrant workers involved in construction at an IKEA-owned shopping mall, local media reported Wednesday.
The hostel is rented by a Turkish construction contractor whose migrants are involved in “either reconstructing or cleaning” the nearby IKEA-owned shopping center, the local 47news.ru website reported.
“The shopping center’s employees did not have direct contact with the contractor’s sick workers,” the outlet quoted IKEA as saying.
Regional authorities described the hostel as “illegal.”
"We received information that on April 11 employees of Esta Construction, a contracting organization that carries out construction work on the property of the MEGA Dybenko [shopping center], had symptoms of SARS, which was later confirmed to be coronavirus. The contractor immediately stopped construction work at the facility, and in accordance with the authorities' instructions, the workers were quarantined and the premises were completely disinfected,” a spokesperson for the shopping center told The Moscow Times.
Health officials set up a field hospital on hostel grounds to isolate the infected and prepare for a possible outbreak among its estimated 485 residents.
“We decided not to hospitalize them because there’s around 500 people there,” the local Bumaga news website quoted the Leningrad region’s press service as saying. “Plus, most cases are mild and don’t require hospitalization.”
Authorities have opened a criminal probe into health violations leading to mass illness, a crime punishable by up to two years in prison. They did not name the suspects.
The Leningrad region’s governor, Alexander Drozdenko, also ordered an inspection into all hostels following the mass infection at Novosergiyevka.
St. Petersburg, a city of 5.5 million, is Russia’s third hardest-hit locale with 1,083 out of 27,938 countrywide coronavirus infections and seven reported deaths.
This story has been updated to clarify that the contractors are not IKEA employees and to add the shopping center's statement.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-17--Russia Prepares to Mark Orthodox Easter Under Coronavirus Lockdown

Millions of Russians will celebrate Orthodox Easter this Sunday amid the coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 32,000 people and shut down all large gatherings nationwide .
Despite strict lockdowns in most regions , the Russian Orthodox Church has largely resisted government recommendations to close places of worship to the public throughout the Holy Week and on Easter , the most important holiday of the year for its 164 million worshippers .
It has , however , advised the faithful to stay home .
Thousands of worshippers across the country celebrated Orthodox Palm Sunday on April 12 , drawing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during some services .
Here ’ s an overview of how the country will celebrate Easter during the pandemic : Both the Russian government and Russian Orthodox Church leadership have advised worshippers to stay inside over Easter , with many churches planning to broadcast services online so people can pray at home .
In Moscow , the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in Russia , churches have been ordered by the city ’ s health officials and Church leadership to hold services with only priests , clergy members and volunteers present .
Outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of Russia ’ s 85 regions still plan to keep their doors open to the public for Easter services , the RBC news website reported .
Alexander Verkhovsky , director of the Moscow-based Sova Center for Information and Analysis , told the news website that regional governors will likely allow these services to take place to avoid a hit to their approval ratings .
Several bakeries in Moscow and St. Petersburg are making the traditional Russian Easter cake — a sweet iced bread containing dried fruits called a kulich — available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the cities ' stay-at-home orders .
In St. Petersburg , the Montana Steak House restaurant says it will even deliver Easter cakes that have been pre-blessed by an Orthodox priest .
Russians will be able to take part in their ever-popular Easter egg tradition despite the coronavirus , with grocery stores remaining open during lockdown .
In Russia , it ’ s common to dye eggs red by boiling them with onion skins for Easter and exchange them with friends and family .
But other traditions , such as the large family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will mostly be called off this year as Russians stay isolated at home .
Parks are out of bounds as all but essential trips on foot are forbidden , and restaurants and cafes are closed .
Anyone wanting to enter or leave Moscow to visit loved ones by car or public transport will have to get a digital pass under new rules that came into force on Wednesday .

Millions of Russians will celebrate Orthodox Easter this Sunday amid the coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 32,000 people and shut down all large gatherings nationwide.
Despite strict lockdowns in most regions, the Russian Orthodox Church has largely resisted government recommendations to close places of worship to the public throughout the Holy Week and on Easter, the most important holiday of the year for its 164 million worshippers. It has, however, advised the faithful to stay home.
Thousands of worshippers across the country celebrated Orthodox Palm Sunday on April 12, drawing criticism for the lax social distancing observed during some services.
Here’s an overview of how the country will celebrate Easter during the pandemic:
Church services
Both the Russian government and Russian Orthodox Church leadership have advised worshippers to stay inside over Easter, with many churches planning to broadcast services online so people can pray at home.
In Moscow, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in Russia, churches have been ordered by the city’s health officials and Church leadership to hold services with only priests, clergy members and volunteers present.
Outside the capital, Orthodox cathedrals in 43 out of Russia’s 85 regions still plan to keep their doors open to the public for Easter services, the RBC news website reported. Alexander Verkhovsky, director of the Moscow-based Sova Center for Information and Analysis, told the news website that regional governors will likely allow these services to take place to avoid a hit to their approval ratings.
Easter feasting
Several bakeries in Moscow and St. Petersburg are making the traditional Russian Easter cake — a sweet iced bread containing dried fruits called a kulich — available to purchase through delivery to help residents comply with the cities' stay-at-home orders.
In St. Petersburg, the Montana Steak House restaurant says it will even deliver Easter cakes that have been pre-blessed by an Orthodox priest.
Russians will be able to take part in their ever-popular Easter egg tradition despite the coronavirus, with grocery stores remaining open during lockdown. In Russia, it’s common to dye eggs red by boiling them with onion skins for Easter and exchange them with friends and family.
Family gatherings
But other traditions, such as the large family gatherings that typically take place on Easter, will mostly be called off this year as Russians stay isolated at home.
Parks are out of bounds as all but essential trips on foot are forbidden, and restaurants and cafes are closed.
Anyone wanting to enter or leave Moscow to visit loved ones by car or public transport will have to get a digital pass under new rules that came into force on Wednesday.