How the mask regime in St. Petersburg will work

The governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov signed a resolution that obliges the townspeople to wear protective masks and gloves in public places from May 12. Violators face a fine of 4 thousand rubles.

The lawyer of the Human Rights Group "Agora" and the head of the project "Apology of protest" Alexei Glukhov tells how restrictions will work and whether the authorities will be able to fine for going out into the street without a mask.

What masks need to be worn? Be sure to be medical?

- Probably, personal protective equipment [in the document ] means masks and gloves, which are mentioned in one of the points of the resolution.

The fact that the townspeople are obliged to wear personal protective equipment is said in paragraph 2 - 20 of the Decree, but specific protective equipment is not transferred. However, their transfer is in the following paragraph 2 - 5.3, which describes what means of protection employees should provide employers - approx. "Papers."

It is important that it is not only about medical masks and respirators. Moreover, the document also describes “other textiles” to protect the respiratory system. That is, relatively speaking, there will be enough to tie a T -shirt on the face.

As for the gloves, we are most likely about disposable gloves. This imposes additional expenses for citizens.

Is it legal to oblige citizens to wear masks?

- I think this is a normal world practice. Masichnaya mode uses most countries struggling with the coronavirus epidemic. The only thing is that if the authorities establish such a strict regime, they are obliged to provide citizens with personal protective equipment.

The Government of St. Petersburg promised to install vending machines with masks and gloves in the lobby of metro stations at a price below the market, and working stores recommended organizing the sale of protective equipment. The authorities did not report the free distribution of PPE - approx. "Papers."

Will they be fined if you go out without a mask?

- If you are literally interpreted, then the “public place” is a fairly wide list: for example, stops of transport, parks, for example, fall into it. That is, you can probably go outside. But in some places, personal protective equipment will be required.

The decision states that the townspeople are required to wear PPE in public places, retail and public transport facilities, including a taxi. However, the Smolny press release says that the street is also meant by the street, the Committee on the issues of legality and law enforcement writes about this. It does not specify what the term “street” means and whether it concerns any space in the open air - approx. "Papers."

The police may also compile protocols for violation of the self -isolation regime for the regional Administrative Code - between the Government of St. Petersburg and the Government of Russia, the corresponding agreement has been concluded .

The legality Committee indicated that it would be to be fined for violation of the mask regime under Article 8.6.1 of the St. Petersburg Administrative Code, which was also used for other cases of violation of the requirements of the city government in connection with the regime of increased readiness - approx. "Papers."

After the publication of the material, the Committee on Legislation and the Law and Order “Paper” explains that they attribute “all places in which the finding of an unlimited circle of people”, including “open spaces of streets, embankments and squares” is possible.

Actual news about the distribution of Covid-19 in the city read in the section "Papers" " Coronavirus in St. Petersburg ".