Moscow digital passes scheme struggles in confusion

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 17 Apr 2020 by Alex Teddy
On March 15 Moscow introduced a system of digital passes to allow 3.2 million of Moscow's 13 million people to leave their residences - if taking transport (pedestrians do not require passes). The government was not clear about the regulations and the police also seemed to be in the dark. There were long lines at roadblocks and metro stations as police read passes. The latter could have been vectors of infection. Decisions on the validity of passes varied from one check point to the next. The government has not covered itself in glory in handling this crisis, with tension between Moscow's City Hall and the Kremlin over the way passes were introduced. The government is maintaining the lockdown but allowing more people out. Is 25% of the city too many? The government then cancelled 900 000 of the passes. The idea is to allow essential workers to travel freely. But the definition of essential appears to be overgenerous and yet simultaneously unclear at the outset. May 9 Victory Day Parade has been postponed (with no new date set). This is a heavy blow as it will be the 75th anniversary.

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