Russia is preparing bills on mandatory QR codes in transport, in cafes and shops. This was reported in the operational headquarters to combat the spread of coronavirus infection.
“The operational headquarters, together with the relevant departments, are working on these bills. We will inform the media additionally about their introduction to the State Duma,” the headquarters said (quoted by TASS).
Earlier, RBC, citing sources, said that two bills were being prepared. The first provides for amendments to the law “On the sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.” “This is an emergency measure, taking into account the difficult epidemiological situation, which will be in effect until June 2022. Decisions on QR codes and details of their use will be made by the regions, and the amendments stipulate that, as part of antiquated measures, local authorities will have to ensure that people can attend mass events , cultural organizations, public catering and retail trade, or by the QR code about the vaccination, or by the document that the person had been ill with covid, or by the medical withdrawal from vaccination with a negative PCR test, “- explained the source of the publication.
The second document, in turn, introduces changes to the Air Code and the Charter of Railway Transport, RBC notes. So, mandatory QR codes about vaccination, about a past illness or a documented medical withdrawal will be introduced on intercity and international flights.
According to RBC, both bills are being prepared for submission to the State Duma, their entry into force will depend on the timing of consideration and the readiness of the regions to introduce QR codes.
The QR code is issued for a year after vaccination or if COVID-19 is confirmed. You can get a code valid for 72 hours after a negative PCR test
Commenting on the message of the headquarters on the development of draft laws, the Russian Railways (RZD) company announced that they were working on mechanisms for introducing QR codes in railway transport. “Specific details are being worked out and will be determined by the provisions of the legislation,” a representative of Russian Railways told RG.
As explained in the company, the safety and health of passengers is a top priority, so the company will certainly comply with all the new requirements of the transport legislation.
Russian Railways noted that similar measures were already taken almost six months ago in a number of foreign countries, in particular in France, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In these and some other countries, without documents confirming the passage of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative PCR test, it is impossible to purchase a ticket.
However, as a representative of the tourism industry explained to “RG”, for example, in Turkey, QR codes are not needed for travel by taxi and public transport within the same municipality.
Andrei Kaukin, head of the research laboratory for systems analysis of sectoral markets at the IPEI RANEPA, notes that the measures proposed by the government are aimed at limiting the possibility of transmission of the virus between regions.
“They should also spur widespread vaccination, without which, according to experts-virologists, the spread of the epidemic cannot be stopped. The measure is declared as temporary, which in the event of such restrictions is very important: its effect should be limited to achieving the set goals, in this case – reducing morbidity to a level that allows the health care system to work without overloading “, – says the expert.
According to him, the “overflows” of infection between regions, among other factors, may contribute to the fact that the waves of morbidity in certain regions will follow one after another. “In fact, we observed such a situation in late summer – early autumn,” explained Kaukin.
On Thursday, even before the headquarters’ announcement, the presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin was not discussing the issue of introducing QR codes in aviation and railway transport. According to a Kremlin spokesman, this issue is within the competence of the government headquarters.
Russian Railways noted that similar restrictions apply in many countries, in particular in France, Turkey and the UAE
Peskov also noted that it will be possible to completely lift anti-coronavirus restrictions only after the end of the pandemic.
On Thursday, 40.7 thousand new cases of coronavirus infection were detected in Russia. In total, since the beginning of the pandemic, such a diagnosis has been made to 8.95 million Russians.
The QR code is issued for a year after vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus or with officially confirmed COVID-19. You can get a code valid for 72 hours after a negative PCR test result.
Competently
The introduction of QR codes in Russia is medically justified. This was announced to Rossiyskaya Gazeta by an infectious disease doctor, chief physician of Invitro-Siberia, Andrei Pozdnyakov, on the sidelines of the Futuremed conference.
“In the country, not only the increase in the incidence continues, but also the number of cases of severe covid is increasing, the mortality rate remains high. And, as a rule, the unvaccinated die,” Pozdnyakov explained. public places is not a restriction in the rights of anyone, and this is not an indulgence for the vaccinated that they supposedly can do anything. Today it is a real way to protect the unvaccinated from potentially unsafe communication for them and reduce the risks of infection for these unprotected people. It’s simple: if you don’t have a QR code, you don’t need to come to a place full of people. And if you are not ready to limit yourself in movement and contacts, please take care of your safety and the security of those who are nearby. Get vaccinated and receive a QR code. Yes, vaccination does not guarantee not to get infected, but it really protects against severe COVID-19 and death. “
The expert noted that most of the developed countries have come to this measure a long time ago. “And no democratic principles and freedoms stopped the governments of these countries, since we are talking about saving the lives of their citizens,” Pozdnyakov added.
Prepared Irina Innocent
Meanwhile
Starting from December 1, it will be impossible to get to the airport and railway stations of Khabarovsk without a QR code or a certified medical evacuation. The regional authorities were forced to introduce such a measure due to the difficult sanitary and epidemiological situation – the average daily increase in the incidence in the region increased to 0.5 percent, which is higher than the average Russian indicators.
In addition, it was decided that from November 20, without a QR code, a vaccinated or ill person will not be able to get into shopping centers with a total area of over a thousand square meters, including large grocery stores and covered markets. And already from November 13, only people who are immune to the disease will be able to visit catering establishments in the region.
From November 20, at least 70 percent of employees in the banking, financial and insurance services sector will be transferred to a remote work format. And from December 1, all employees of state structures will need a QR code or a certificate from a person who has been ill.
In the administrative buildings of federal executive authorities and local governments, it was recommended to introduce an antique pass system.
Another innovation in the region is the “covid” “hot line”. By calling 122, people over 60 will be able to apply for COVID-19 vaccination at home. In addition, doctors will be connected to work on the line. They will advise the residents of the region on the medical withdrawal from vaccinations against a dangerous infection. In the neighboring Jewish Autonomy, pensioners unvaccinated from the coronavirus were sent to self-isolation. However, in addition to the “stick”, the “carrot” was also introduced. Vaccinated elderly people in the Jewish Autonomous Region will receive a lump sum payment of 1,000 rubles. Another limitation applies to catering organizations. Cafes and restaurants in the region will now only be open until 23.00. The QR code system is already in place in them.
Julia Gardner, “Rossiyskaya Gazeta”, Khabarovsk
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