Coronavirus infection in Russia. December 01

In the past 24 hours, Russia has confirmed 32 648 cases of COVID-19 and 1 229 deaths due to a disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The total case count going up to 9 636 881 and 275 193 deaths, the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed.

- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called for mutual recognition of vaccines against the coronavirus to help curtail the pandemic, as concern grows around the world about the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

- Russians returning from countries with which Moscow has not formally restored air travel will have to quarantine for 14 days, Anna Popova, the head of Russia’s Rospotrebnadzor consumer and health watchdog said Tuesday. The validity of health passes obtained by a negative PCR test will also be reduced from 72 to 48 hours. Popova also advised Russians not to travel abroad for New Year holidays as part of a package of recommendations outlined in response to the Omicron variant.

- Putin has ordered the government to create an updated action plan for the Omicron strain by next week, he said at an investment forum Tuesday.

- As many as 1 500 Russian tourists have been left stranded in South Africa as countries scramble to ban flights from the region, media reported Monday.

- The backers of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V said Monday that the jab is effective against the new Omicron coronavirus variant but they were also developing an adapted booster.

- St. Petersburg aims to vaccinate 80% of its population by mid-January through vaccination, its Governor Alexander Beglov said Thursday. He said 67% of the city is currently vaccinated.

- President Vladimir Putin repeated his stance that Covid-19 vaccination should be voluntary as regions and cities tighten restrictions on the unvaccinated.

- Russia has registered a Covid-19 vaccine for children 12 to 17 years old, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova announced.