Sochi townspeople meet mask regime with complaints about high prices in pharmacies

Since April 30, the authorities of the Krasnodar Territory introduced the mandatory wearing of medical masks in public places. Sochi residents have complained about high prices on masks in pharmacies, and said that they have to sew them themselves.

"In accordance with the standards of the regional "Rospotrebnadzor" (the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing), all the employees of the facilities of trade, public catering and servicing sector must wear masks at their workplaces. Citizens are also required to wear masks when entering shops, public transport, station buildings, and any other public places," Mikael Nersesyan, the head of the Sochi administration press service, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The mandatory wearing of masks is the right measure during the pandemic, says Veronica Mikhailovna, a 40-year-old math teacher. "I'm aware of the governor's decree to wear masks. I believe it's a right measure during the pandemic. When everybody is in mask, the risk of getting infected is reduced," she told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Irina Zubova, a 59-year-old pensioner, is herself sewing masks for herself and her husband, who works as a taxi driver. "My husband told me about the must to wear a mask; and he was informed by the city administration. The prices for masks are high. Pharmacies are selling five-rouble masks ten times higher – for 50-70 roubles. Therefore, I decided to make masks for my husband and myself," the pensioner told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 2, 2020 at 05:56 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.