BFF-23 Russian city orders workers to wear facemasks due to virus

368

ZCZC

BFF-23

RUSSIA-CHINA-HEALTH-VIRUS-EMPLOYMENT

Russian city orders workers to wear facemasks due to virus

MOSCOW, Feb 7, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – A far eastern Russian city on Friday ordered
people whose jobs involve dealing with the public, from bus drivers to bank
staff, to wear facemasks, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The city of Khabarovsk, located close to the border with China, said it was
bringing in the “mask regime” from Monday.

“People who work on public transport, in shopping malls and in banks, and
medics — all those who have close daily contact with a large number of
people — will be required to wear masks,” the city administration said in a
statement.

So far Russia has had two confirmed cases of the virus, both Chinese
citizens who have been hospitalised in Siberia.

Russia and China share a border more than 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles)
long, but Moscow has suspended rail links and restricted flights as well as
halting visa-free entry for Chinese tour groups.

Far eastern Russia is generally sparsely populated, but Khabarovsk is the
largest city in the region with more than 617,000 inhabitants.

BSS/AFP/RY/1840 hrs