Package of Laws Supporting Citizens and Economy in Pandemic Approved by Both Houses of Federal Assembly of Russian Federation

The special meeting of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation adopted a number of laws aimed at supporting citizens, increasing responsibility for violating sanitary and epidemiological rules, providing financial support for prevention and eliminating the consequences of the spread of coronavirus. The package of laws was proposed by the government as part of the implementation of the Presidential decision.

According to one of the adopted laws, the government of the Russian Federation should become a coordinating body in a unified state system for the prevention and liquidation of emergency situations. The government introduces a high alert or emergency regime and establishes binding rules of conduct. The spread of dangerous diseases has been added to the list of emergency situations.

The government also has the right to promptly allocate funds for activities related to the prevention and elimination of the consequences of the coronavirus infection, without amending the law on the federal budget. All proposals for the redistribution of funds will be agreed upon by the special Commission of the Federal Assembly, which will include seven MPs from the State Duma and seven members of the Federation Council.

MPs and senators approved amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses and the Criminal Code, providing for liability for violation of the quarantine regime and other sanitary and epidemiological rules. They imply fines of up to 500 thousand rubles and imprisonment for up to seven years if the violation led to the death of people.

Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko emphasized that the decisions were aimed at minimizing the risks to the health and life of Russians during the pandemic. She noted that the development of the situation may require additional measures and quick reaction of lawmakers in the near future.

Photo: council.gov.ru; duma.gov.ru.