Russia’s lower house (State Duma) of parliament has adopted a law on criminal liability for violation of quarantine, and also said that those who spread fake information about the spread of coronavirus would get up to five years in prison.
Russian media report say the State Duma on March 31 adopted a law on criminal liability for violation of quarantine, and also said that those who spread fake information about the spread of coronavirus would get up to five years in prison.
The Duma Speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin, and the Head of the Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation Pavel Krasheninnikov are behind the initiative, according to RIA Novosti. .
Those who violate the conditions of the quarantine will face fines of up to 2 million rubles ($25,000) or even a prison term of up to seven years.
Meanwhile, those who spread fake information about the COVID-19 pandemic will face a five-year prison term.
Recall, Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 30 threatened to impose harsh crackdowns on those he described as “criminal” who violate new quarantines and stay-at-home orders.
In a meeting Monday with the federal officials who administer Russia's states, Putin referenced the newly imposed measures to restrict public gatherings and close down non-essential venues, some of which went into effect on Sunday with only hours' notice for local residents.
Russian state media reported on Monday that the number of cases exceeded 1,200, having jumped by more than a third in the prior 24 hours.
