In Chechnya, entrepreneurs affected by restrictive measures

The restrictions imposed in Chechnya because of the coronavirus pandemic led to a decline in sales volumes and provoked financial difficulties, entrepreneurs complain.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 26, Magomed Daudov, the speaker of the Chechen parliament, announced that the epidemiological situation in the republic was smoothing, but the regime of self-isolation still should be maintained. Local residents expressed their indignation and noted that for the third month of self-isolation, people did not have enough money even to buy foodstuffs.

The quarantine regime provoked a bankruptcy of a business run by restaurateur Tamerlan Musaev, who opened a network of outdoor cafes. The businessman notes that his sphere is not among those which may count on state support.

In Chechnya, the maintenance of the quarantine will not affect the reputation of the authorities in the republic, believes Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, the director of the Centre for Conflict Analysis and Prevention.

Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya emphasizes that the rising dissatisfaction may cause the deterioration in the economic situation. "In Chechnya, a lot of people (sellers, taxi drivers, etc.) earn their living by everyday work ... Every day when they do not work they put their families, especially families with many children, in a difficult situation," the expert noted.

"In Chechnya, everything has been cemented, and I do not see any serious potential for changes," Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya concluded.

Ruslan Kutaev, the president of the socio-political movement "Assembly of Caucasian Nations", has associated the maintenance of the quarantine restrictions in Chechnya with the outbreak of the epidemic in neighbouring regions, including Dagestan and Karachay-Cherkessia. The Caucasian expert has also noted the danger of growing protest among young people.