Russia introduces app to track coronavirus infected individuals

(Patria) – President Vladimir Putin is taking steps to protect himself from the coronavirus, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday after Russian authorities launched a smartphone application designed to track individuals ordered to self-isolate due to suspected infection with the virus.  

Just two days earlier, it was determined that a doctor with whom Putin met last week during a visit to one of Moscow's hospitals tested positive for the coronavirus. During that meeting, neither Putin nor the doctor wore protective suits, and they shook hands at the end of the meeting.

The Kremlin confirmed that Putin is healthy, but now prefers to maintain distance and work via video link.

As of Wednesday, Russia has expanded its 'locked down' territory, as the number of infected individuals has reached 2,777, an increase of 440 in a single day. So far, 24 of its residents have died.

Moscow, with its 12.5 million inhabitants, is the epicenter of the infection.

Citizens are allowed to leave their homes only to make essential purchases of food and medicine, or to walk their dog. Red Square is mostly empty with the occasional police officer checking if passing pedestrians possess the necessary documents.

The app for tracking infected citizens will be in use from Thursday, and a QR code system is also being prepared, where each citizen will register, receive a code that they will show to the police if stopped on their way to a store or pharmacy.

Critics of the Kremlin believe that this will turn Moscow into a 'digital concentration camp'.

 

(source Reuters)