Beginning October 1, the government of Saint Petersburg will lift coronavirus restrictions that have remained in force across the city for the past six years, according to the municipal administration Smolny, as reported by Fontanka. The decision stems from an order issued by the chief state sanitary doctor for Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.
The End of COVID-Era Decrees in Saint Petersburg
The decree initially signed by Governor Alexander Beglov on March 13, 2020—specifically designated as Decree No. 121 “On measures to counter the spread of COVID-19″—instituted broad prohibitions on public assemblies, including rallies, pickets, and demonstrations. Under the terms of that document, any public event involving more than 300 participants required explicit prior approval from the local authorities. For six years, the municipal administration utilized these public health regulations to ban mass protests and picket lines. Notable instances included last year’s official refusal to permit a rally opposing the construction of two new Gazprom towers, alongside the cancellation of the Necrocomiccon festival.
Parallel Restrictions and Political Pushback in Moscow
While Saint Petersburg moves to rescind its emergency regulations, municipal authorities in Moscow continue to enforce similar bans. The Moscow city administration recently blocked a planned rally organized to protest alleged fraud during the State Duma elections, citing ongoing coronavirus limitations. Vera Misina, a candidate representing the Communist Party, submitted a formal proposal to hold the gathering at Plyushchevo Park in the southeastern part of Moscow, but city officials rejected the request. Responding to the decision, Misina wrote in her Telegram channel that the move represents an open mockery of citizens and common sense, calling it base, cynical, and a direct violation of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
Federal Timelines and Regional Jurisdiction
The World Health Organization officially declared an end to the COVID-19 pandemic on May 5, 2023. At the federal level within Russia, all pandemic-related restrictions introduced by Rospotrebnadzor were lifted much earlier, on July 1, 2022. However, regional health regulations and emergency decrees do not expire automatically. Local authorities retain the legal independence to maintain or terminate these regional provisions independently, creating a patchwork of rules that has persisted long after federal and international bodies cleared public activities.
Did you know? While federal Rospotrebnadzor restrictions across Russia ended in July 2022, regional governors held individual legal authority to keep local decrees active, leading to multi-year extensions of public gathering bans in cities like Saint Petersburg and Moscow.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the COVID-19 restrictions end in Saint Petersburg?
The restrictions are scheduled to be lifted on October 1, following an order from the chief state sanitary doctor and a decision by the Smolny administration.
Who originally signed the restrictive decree in Saint Petersburg?
Governor Alexander Beglov signed Decree No. 121 on March 13, 2020, which regulated public gatherings under the pretext of anti-epidemiological measures.
Are similar restrictions still active in other Russian cities?
Yes. Municipal authorities in Moscow recently rejected requests for public rallies, continuing to cite coronavirus-related limitations to block political demonstrations.
When did the World Health Organization declare the pandemic over?
The WHO announced the end of the COVID-19 pandemic on May 5, 2023.
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