Safety measures during arrivals from abroad were discussed, including organising a system to collect data on incoming citizens and monitoring their quarantine.
Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks:
Meeting of the Presidium of the Government Coordination Council to control the incidence of novel coronavirus infection in the Russian Federation
We continue to take all the necessary measures to counter the spread of the coronavirus. First of all, we are actively expanding the production of test kits and we are increasing the research to identify the disease. According to Rospotrebnadzor’s data, today tests are being done all across Russia. Rospotrebnadzor has 95 labs, where to date over 20,000 samples are tested every day. Two weeks ago, on 19 March, labs of another 193 medical institutions joined this work. At first they processed a little over 500 samples each day, but now that number has gone up to over 12,000.
Commercial labs are also involved. At present their capacities make it possible to test about 2,000 samples on a daily basis, which, according to Rospotrebnadzor’s data, constitutes a total of about 36,000 coronavirus tests in Russia. We are in the world’s top three according to these numbers. All the tests are run using Russian-made test kits. We continue to supply the Rospotrebnadzor labs and medical institutions with the necessary equipment.
I would also like to say that all these results were possible largely thanks to Rospotrebnadzor’s employees who have been working almost all day round for a third month in a row. This kind of dedication must be highly praised.
Mikhail Mishustin: “Commercial labs are also involved. At present their capacities make it possible to test about 2,000 samples on a daily basis, which, according to Rospotrebnadzor’s data, constitutes a total of about 36,000 coronavirus tests in Russia. We are in the world’s top three according to these numbers.”
The labs help identify those who are ill and provide
them with the necessary medical help. However, it is still important to work as
hard as possible to prevent the infection from spreading. New cases of imported
coronavirus, when the infection is brought in from abroad, must be excluded.
This is why precaution measures are taken when Russians return back from other
countries. A list of relevant instructions has been made following the meeting
of the Coordination Council Presidium on Monday. I will elaborate on several of
them.
They include the creation of a system (the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media is actively introducing it) to collect data on people returning back to Russia. Before crossing the border passport control, it will be necessary to fill in a special form at the Public Services website and provide personal information, including the address of stay during the quarantine period. People arriving in Russia will be informed about this when registering for their flights or by a text message upon arriving.
Next, communications providers will help control the location of the newly arrived people in quarantine. In case the self-isolation conditions are violated, they will file this information to the Ministry of the Interior. People in quarantine will also have to fill in the log on how they feel and confirm that they are staying at home at the request of the Public Services.
Another important instruction has been given to the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Economic Development. They must develop amendments that when enterprises purchase masks, test kits and medical equipment to diagnose and treat the virus, the costs are taken into account as expenses and deducted when calculating income tax.
I would also like to mention an instruction to the Ministry of Justice. Due to the fact that the operations of marriage registry offices have been suspended, it is necessary to provide their services remotely. Life does not stop because of the coronavirus. People get married and give birth to children, so they must be able to register this.
Now, let’s get down to the discussion.
