Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia (July–December 2020)
The following is the timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia for the second half of 2020.
Timeline
July 2020
On 1 July, 6,556 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 654,405. Confirmed deaths rose to 9,536.[3] Melita Vujnovich, the World Health Organization representative in Russia, said that the country has taken a "good path" in recent weeks, leading to infection numbers to fall. She also said that the system for the vote on constitutional amendments that day was well thought out by the authorities.[4]
On 2 July, 6,760 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 661,165. Confirmed deaths rose to 9,683.[3] In Moscow, the number of new infections confirmed in the last day was 611 - the lowest since 6 April.[5]
On 3 July, 6,718 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 667,883 . Confirmed deaths rose to 9,859.[3]
On 4 July, 6,632 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 674,515. Confirmed deaths rose to 10,027.[3] It was reported that cinemas in Moscow could reopen on 1 August, however there wasn't a final decision. This was according to the head of the Russian Association of Theatre Owners, Oleg Berezin. Previously, a date of 15 July was estimated.[6] Rospotrebnadzor also published sanitary rules for schools, kindergartens and camps until the end of 2020.[7]
On 5 July, 6,736 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 681,251. Confirmed deaths rose to 10,161.[3] The government also allocated almost 7.5 billion rubles in payments to health workers treating coronavirus patients.[8] The Federal Tourism Agency also said that subsidies would be given to small hotels to purchase personal protective equipment.[9]
On 6 July, 6,611 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 687,862. Confirmed deaths rose to 10,296.[3] It was reported that the temporary hospitals in Patriot Park and Crocus Expo located in Moscow Oblast would start being dismantled due to the significant decrease in new infections.[10] The governor of Murmansk Oblast, Andrey Chibis, denied plans of an entry ban to the region, calling it "fake news".[11]
On 7 July, 6,368 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 694,230. Confirmed deaths rose to 10,494.[3] The Communications Ministry said that the system for tracking infected persons would not involve the processing of personal data.[12]
On 8 July, 6,562 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 700,792. Confirmed deaths rose to 10,667.[3] The governor of Moscow Oblast, Andrey Vorobyov, signed a decree easing some restrictions in the region including allowing restaurants, cafes, bars and other catering establishments to reopen from 25 July as well as a number of other places to reopen from 15 July.[13] The President's Special Representative for International Cultural Cooperation, Mikhail Shvydkoy, said that theatres would be allowed to reopen in Moscow from 1 August with the number of viewers limited to 50%.[14]
On 9 July, 6,509 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 707,301. Confirmed deaths rose to 10,843.[3] Moscow's authorities announced further easing of some restrictions with cinemas allowed to reopen and concerts allowed to be held from 1 August provided that they meet certain requirements. Attractions would be able to reopen and restrictions on places like parks and cultural centres would be removed on 13 July.[15] In Krasnoyarsk Krai, restrictions on enterprises and organisations were extended to 9 August.[16]
On 10 July, 6,635 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 713,936. Confirmed deaths rose to 11,017.[3] Rosstat published data which said that COVID-19 was confirmed or assumed to be the main cause of death for 7,444 people who died in May, with an additional 5,008 people with a COVID-19 diagnosis determined to have died from other diseases. The death toll reported by the coronavirus crisis centre for May was 3,633.[17] Tatyana Golikova said that starting on 15 July, authorities will start to gradually lift restrictions on flights abroad and will begin negotiations to restart international flights.[18]
On 11 July, 6,611 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 720,547. Confirmed deaths rose to 11,205.[3] The head of Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, said that a special vaccine for children has started development.[19]
On 12 July, 6,615 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 727,162. Confirmed deaths rose to 11,335.[3] It was reported that Sechenov University had completed testing of a vaccine developed by the Gamaleya Centre on volunteers and that scientists had confirmed its safety.[20]
On 13 July, 6,537 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 733,699. Confirmed deaths rose to 11,439.[3] In Moscow, a new stage in the lifting of restrictions started. Universities, colleges and schools were allowed to resume to normal and the use of face masks and gloves outdoors is no longer required except in public transport, shops and crowded places, with social distancing requirements continuing.[21] The Ministry of Culture also lifted the ban on cinemas, with regional authorities now choosing whether to let them reopen.[22] The Ministry of Defence also stated that no participants in the Victory Day parade in Moscow were infected.[23]
On 14 July, 6,248 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 739,947. Confirmed deaths rose to 11,614.[3] The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said that Russia and its international partners would produce over 200 million doses of the vaccine by the end of 2020.[24] The head of the Belarusian government said that transport links with Russia would resume in the coming days.[25]
On 15 July, 6,422 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 746,369. Confirmed deaths rose to 11,770.[3] The 14-day quarantine requirement for arrivals in the country was abolished with arrivals now requiring medical documents in English or Russian showing a negative test. If an arrival does not have such documents, they will be placed into observation until they get a negative test result. Tatyana Golikova previously said that quarantines can be maintained for Russians returning from countries with high infection rates.[26] It was also announced that residents of Moscow would be able to take a PCR test for free from 16 July.[27]
On 16 July, 6,428 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 752,797. Confirmed deaths rose to 11,937.[3] Reuters reported that 30 million doses of the experimental vaccine would be produced domestically in Russia and the potential for 170 million to be manufactured abroad, according to the head of RDIF, Kirill Dmitriev. He also said that a Phase III trial involving several thousand people is expected to start in August.[28] The head of the RDIF dismissed British accusations that Russian hackers backed by the security services attempted to steal coronavirus vaccine research. He said that there was no need because AstraZeneca had negotiated a deal in the production of the Oxford vaccine in Russia and called the accusations an attempt of "tarnish the reputation" of the Russian vaccine.[29]
On 17 July, 6,406 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 759,203. Confirmed deaths rose to 12,123.[3] The head of the Rospotrebnadzor department in Khabarovsk Krai recommended a return of restrictions following protests in the region due to increased reported infections.[30] The Governor of Moscow Oblast announced the transition to the third stage of lifting restrictions.[31] Reuters reported that the economy shrank by 9.6% year-on-year in the 2nd quarter, the most in 20 years, according to the economy minister. Real disposable incomes fell by 8% in year-on-year terms in April to June according to Rosstat. It also said that Russia's industrial output fell by 9.4% in June compared to a year ago.[32]
On 18 July, 6,234 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 765,437. Confirmed deaths rose to 12,247.[3] Moscow's mayor, Sobyanin, said that City Day celebrations would take place on time if the epidemiological situation does not worsen.[33]
On 19 July, 6,109 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 771,546. Confirmed deaths rose to 12,342.[3] The authorities of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug extended the self-isolation regime until 15 August, with all residents required to wear masks and following social distancing in public places and transport.[34]
On 20 July, 5,940 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 777,486. Confirmed deaths rose to 12,427.[3] The Ministry of Defence said that it completed the first clinical trials of a vaccine on human volunteers. The necessary antibodies were detected and the components of the vaccine are safe and tolerated well by humans, said a lead military scientist.[35] Organisers for the "Immortal Regiment" march postponed the event to 9 May 2021.[36] President Putin stated that the Victory Day parade and the vote on constitutional amendments that were held did not cause further outbreaks.[37]
On 21 July, 5,842 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 783,328. Confirmed deaths rose to 12,580.[3] It was reported that the Finance Ministry had proposed the government to cut spending on the military by 5% between 2021 and 2023. The proposal also included a spending cut of 10% on the court system and the servicing of debt and wages for civil servants.[38]
On 22 July, 5,862 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 789,190. Confirmed deaths rose to 12,745.[3] Prime Minister Mishustin said that 4 vaccines being developed in Russia have already proven their safety and that he hopes a reliable vaccine will be available by autumn.[39] Dmitry Degtyarev, a minister of Sverdlovsk Oblast, was reported to have died from the virus. 18,484 people in the region are confirmed to have been infected.[40] The Economy Minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, was quoted as saying that Russia's GDP declined by 4.2% in the first half of 2020. He said that this ministry was maintaining its 2020 forecast of a decrease of 4.8%, but that it would be revised in August.[41]
On 23 July, 5,848 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 795,038. Confirmed deaths rose to 12,892.[3] The press service of AliExpress Russia said that the demand for game consoles and accessories in Russia quadrupled in the 2nd quarter of the year.[42] The Health Minister, Mikhail Murashko, said that the vaccination of doctors may begin in August.[43]
On 24 July, 5,811 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 800,849. Confirmed deaths rose to 13,046.[3] The Speaker of the Federation Council, Valentina Matvienko, said that two members were infected with the virus and as a result, were absent at a session, with one in serious condition in hospital. She urged members to comply with the sanitary and epidemiological requirements.[44] St. Petersburg's authorities agreed with business representatives on conditions for a new stage in the easing of restrictions beginning on 27 July allowing for restaurants and shopping centres to reopen.[45] The acting governor of Khabarovsk Krai, Mikhail Degtyarev, allowed a tightening of restrictions following an increase in reported infections.[46] Tatyana Golikova said that the country plans to resume some international flights on 1 August, with the list of destinations currently limited to Tanzania, Turkey and the United Kingdom. This would include airports in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don to and from the island of Zanzibar, London, Istanbul and Ankara. She said that more destinations in Turkey would be added from 10 August. She also said that a list of more countries was being worked on by authorities on a mutual basis.[47]
On 25 July, 5,871 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 806,720. Confirmed deaths rose to 13,192.[3]
On 26 July, 5,765 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 812,485. Confirmed deaths rose to 13,269.[3] The Health Minister, Mikhail Murashko, confirmed again that vaccinations against the virus would be voluntary and that the vaccination of the population will be done in stages, first to health workers.[48]
On 27 July, 5,635 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 818,120. Confirmed deaths rose to 13,354.[3]
On 28 July, 5,395 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 823,515. Confirmed deaths rose to 13,504.[3] The news agency TASS reported that the European Union would not open its borders with Russia until at least mid-August. Its source said that it was "too early" according to statistics, with the EU's "white list" currently containing 13 countries.[49] The State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR began clinical trials on volunteers of a vaccine.[50] The governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Roman Kopin was hospitalised with a suspected COVID-19 infection.[51]
On 29 July, 5,475 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 828,990. Confirmed deaths rose to 13,673.[3] Interfax reported that a vaccine by the Gamaleya Centre is likely to be registered from 10 to 12 August and the vaccine could be administered to civilians from 15 August.[52]
On 30 July, 5,509 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 834,499. Confirmed deaths rose to 13,802.[3]
On 31 July, 5,482 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number to 839,981. Confirmed deaths rose to 13,963.[3] TASS reported that over 6,000 enterprises in Moscow received fines totalling 300 million rubles for violating face mask and glove requirements.[53]
August 2020
On 1 August, 5,462 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total number