What is prohibited and allowed for motorists due to coronavirus infection?

Latest news about 2019-nCoV – what is prohibited?

Let's first learn about the most important thing in operational changes in legislation, what is prohibited and what is allowed for citizens of our country as part of the fight against coronavirus. Please note that such bans and other measures are taken mainly by the constituent entities of Russia - individual regions and cities, and therefore clarification is necessary specifically for your stay. Although, there are changes at the federal level.

It is important to understand that in different regions of Russia the situation with bans may be different - in some places it may simply be a recommendation from the authorities, and in others it may be a punishable restriction. Therefore, we strongly advise you to find out the latest information in primary sources, including the official media of your region, as well as legal information in the databases of Russian legislation, for example, on Consultant Plus.

1. Due to the obstacles to the spread of COVID-19, most cities do not allow large numbers of people to gather for events . This applies to various kinds of meetings of clubs with interests in cars or motorcycles, and sports car events. As of May 22, 2021, this is relevant for Moscow, St. Petersburg and most other cities. But specific figures on the maximum amount allowed for gathering in one place are not reported. You can find out specifically about the situation in your locality on official government websites or official media.
2. Travel to most countries in Europe and Asia by car - a number of these countries have simply closed their borders to free entry as part of the fight against the spread of coronavirus infection.
3. Those already sick with coronavirus, as well as those entering from abroad, were prohibited from leaving home for the duration of treatment or, accordingly, self-isolation and contact with people. Of course, you can’t drive a car in this case.

What is prohibited for motorists?

Now we will take a closer look at certain restrictions for drivers, which in one way or another relate specifically to the right to travel by car, in connection with coronavirus infection.

New restrictions on movement in Moscow and a number of regions

Section updated 04/07/2020

Due to the growing number of cases, the mayor of Moscow decided to restrict the movement of citizens, including by car, by issuing a corresponding Decree. There are exceptions when city citizens are allowed to leave their homes.

We are talking about document dated March 29, 2021 under number 34-UM and its clause 9.3. This Decree introduces the obligation of citizens to stay at home, with the exception of a number of cases.

It is better to see the list of these cases from the official interpretation of the document:

9. Oblige: …. 9.3. Citizens should not leave their place of residence (stay), except in cases

• requests for emergency (emergency) medical care and cases of other direct threat to life and health,
• cases of traveling to the place (from the place) of carrying out activities (including work) that are not suspended in accordance with this decree, carrying out activities related to movement within the territory of the city of Moscow, if such movement is directly related to the implementation of activities that are not suspended in accordance with this decree (including the provision of transport and delivery services),
• as well as going to the nearest place of purchase of goods, works, services, the sale of which is not limited in accordance with this decree,
• walking pets at a distance not exceeding 100 meters from the place of residence (stay),
• removal of waste to the nearest waste accumulation site.

The restriction will be introduced on March 30 and will remain in effect until an indefinite period.

Meanwhile, rumors are actively spreading online about a new fine for violating self-isolation due to coronavirus. Allegedly, citizens on the streets of Moscow will be fined as much as 50 thousand rubles. This is not entirely true!

In fact, there are changes to the Administrative Code, they have been adopted, but there is no talk of a 50 thousand ruble fine for citizens. And we are talking about Federal Law No. 99-FZ of April 1, 2021.

The Code of Administrative Offenses has Article 6.3, which, from its old version, provides for a fine of 100 to 500 rubles for citizens for violating anti-epidemiological rules. Changes are being made to this article, and they prescribe much greater penalties in situations of threat of the spread of the disease.

The new version provides for much larger fines for violations in the field of sanitary and epidemiological well-being. In particular, two more new parts of the article are being introduced that regulate penalties for violations, including anti-epidemic measures, during the period of threat of the spread of the disease.

According to the new law, the fine for citizens, if such a violation does not result in harm to health or death of other people, ranges from 15 to 40 thousand rubles under Part 2 of Article 6.3. But, there is a third part - if such a violation led to the death or harm to the health of one or more people, then the minimum sanction includes a fine of 150,000 rubles. In addition, in certain situations, the violator may face criminal liability.

The Federal Law itself, introducing these changes, comes into force on the date of its official publication, this is indicated in Article No. 2 of this Federal Law. And publication occurred on April 1, 2021.

But there is one more rule that is changed by the above Federal Law. A new article 20.61 is being introduced, which provides for penalties for violating the rules of behavior during an emergency or the threat of one. You can see the official interpretation and all sanctions measures here.

Is it possible to travel between cities?

As we have already indicated above, in most regions there are bans on leaving home - therefore, on driving vehicles both within cities and in intercity traffic.

But what to do if, for one reason or another, you need to go to another city in Russia, crossing one or more regions of the country? In this case, you will have to adhere to the restrictions and rules that have been introduced in the relevant territories. Moreover, please note that the rules for driving a car may apply separately and in populated areas, and not just within one region.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs provided clarification on this matter. And the main subtleties and recommendations are as follows:

• There are no special direct restrictions on the movement of transit transport between cities, but there are general restrictions, and each region has its own,
• and therefore you will have to find and take into account information on the current regulations in the cities through which you are going to pass,
• at the same time, it is advisable to obtain such data immediately before visiting the region, since restrictions are updated and change very often,
• in addition to your passport and documents for the car, it is also advisable to have a certificate stating that you are not sick with coronavirus, although this point is not regulated as mandatory, but can be established as such in any region,
• In addition, you may also need a certificate of temporary registration and an employment contract, as well as a certificate from your place of work.

Avoid communication with traffic police by pretending to be sick

A meme is actively spreading online with a piece of paper taped to the glass of a vehicle with the inscription “I am sick with coronavirus” when the driver is stopped by a traffic police officer.

This is what it looks like:

If you decide to use this method, even just for fun and, especially, as a life hack, then keep in mind that the consequences may be somewhat worse than you think.

Let's track the legislative component of what a traffic police inspector should do if he suspects that the driver is sick:

1. firstly, if you suspect not only a coronavirus infection, but any disease in general, a traffic police officer is obliged to remove the driver from driving, since according to traffic rules it is forbidden to drive a car in any painful condition; But that is not all,
2. according to subparagraph 7 of part 1 of article 12 of the Federal Law on Police, the traffic police inspector is obliged to take measures to protect public order during quarantine measures during epidemics,
3. According to the corresponding changes in 2021, coronavirus infection has been added to the official list of dangerous diseases, and this is what it means,
4. Clause 2 of Part 9 of the Federal Law on the Fundamentals of Health Protection prescribes that in the presence of such diseases, medical intervention is possible without the consent of the patient.

Thus, if you tell a traffic police inspector that you are sick with coronavirus, he is obliged to take you to the hospital for diagnosis and/or first aid. And you definitely won’t be able to avoid communicating with a police officer in this way.

Is it possible to go to a gas station, a clinic, or a pet store?

Let's look at a few examples to help you understand where you can go by car:

I emphasize once again that before going to any organization, you should call them and check whether it actually works.

In addition, in any case, the situation must be treated adequately. The authorities’ task in this case is to limit people’s contacts with each other. This is exactly how you should behave.

That is, if you go out by car once a week to simultaneously visit a supermarket (to buy food), a pet store (to buy cat food) and a gas station (to buy more fuel for the car), then there will be no complaints against you.

In addition, it makes sense to postpone purchases and matters that are not urgent until better times. After all, reducing contact with other people is necessary primarily for your safety.

Is it possible to drive a car and where?

As of May 22, 2021, the ban on traveling by personal car, except in exceptional cases, is in effect in Moscow, Tatarstan, as well as in a number of other cities and regions of our country. You can find up-to-date information in the official media and government websites of your locality.

In most cities there are no restrictions on movement unless you are sick with coronavirus infection. You can freely travel to any places within such cities, if they are not restricted for entry by other regulations and relevant orders or decrees of the heads of constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

There is a Decree of Rospotrebnadzor on the self-isolation regime, but it applies only to those persons who arrived or flew in from abroad.

How to travel by car correctly during quarantine

During the coronavirus epidemic, traveling in a personal car during quarantine is quite safe if you do not take strangers with you. Therefore, the main thing a driver needs to worry about is the legal basis for his trip. Each time you need to travel only with a pass and passport.

There is no point in wearing a mask inside your own car. But it is still necessary to take PPE to wear when exiting a car or when talking to a police officer through a window.

The sanitizer is useful for treating hands and surfaces after leaving the car.

Advice! It is better to reduce stops along the way to a minimum. It is optimal if the trip route consists of only two points - the beginning and the end.