- Title: Muscovites hit local beach amid ban on international flights
- Date: 13th July 2020
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (JULY 12, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE RELAXING ON BEACH VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PLAYING IN WATER (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BEACHGOER, ALEXEI (NO SURNAME GIVEN), SAYING: "I've been coming here quite frequently this year for the simple reason that it's clean, kempt, there are lots of people, lots of girls here. It's chilled out here." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PADDLE BOARDING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BEACHGOER, ALEXEI (NO SURNAME GIVEN), SAYING: "It's (coronavirus) is all made up, of course, there's an illness, but it was also there in the 90s and 80s, there was talk of coronavirus. So what? It's all our government trying to keep us at home." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SUNBATHING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BEACHGOER, OLGA MELNICHIKHINA, SAYING: "It's spacious and very beautiful here, despite a large number of people, it's not cramped here. There's space, water, sailboats, pleasant water, air, good weather. I like it here, Strogino is super!" SAILBOATS MAN STOOD BY FENCE LOOKING AT PHONE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PLAYING IN WATER (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BEACHGOER, OLGA MELNICHIKHINA, SAYING: "I am definitely not going aboard this year. (JOURNALIST ASKING OFF CAMERA: Just because of the disease?) Yes, and I understand that they don't really want to see Americans and Russians abroad this year because of the statistics. They don't believe our statistics." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE RELAXING BY WATER PEOPLE SUNBATHING ON SAND AND PLAYING ON WATER MAN STOOD BY "DO NOT SWIM" SIGN LOOKING AT PADDLE BOARDER (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BEACHGOER, IGOR LEBEDEV, SAYING: "I come here quite frequently; I like it a lot. There's a beautiful beach, there are a lot of people you can meet someone and have a chat. The weather allows (people to come here) this year. Unfortunately, I can't go anywhere because of work, this year a lot of people are working without holidays, so at least there's a good atmosphere, it's interesting to spend time here." MAN USING PUMP (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) BEACHGOER, IGOR LEBEDEV, SAYING: "I don't think it's worth worrying about it (coronavirus) in the open air. I'm wary of some people, especially those that sneeze, cough and blow their noses. But I think that wearing a mask and gloves in the open air is (SHAKES HEAD)." VARIOUS OF WOMAN SUNBATHING ON GRASS VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SUNBATHING ON BEACH AND PLAYING IN WATER
- Embargoed: 27th July 2020 08:40
- Keywords: COVID-19 Moscow Russia beach coronavirus summertime
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA001CMN7DQF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:With a ban on international flights over the coronavirus pandemic ruling out foreign holidays, many Muscovites are opting to soak up the sun on beaches closer to home.
Strogino beach to the west of the Russian capital was packed with people on Sunday (July 12) looking to boost their vitamin D levels and take a dip in the Stroginsky Backwater.
"It's spacious and very beautiful here, despite a large number of people, it's not cramped," beach-goer Olga Melnichikhina said.
Few people appeared to be social distancing or wearing masks on Strogino beach on Sunday. Some of the beach-goers did not see it as a problem.
"It's (coronavirus) is all made up, of course, there's an illness, but it was also there in the 90s and 80s, there was talk of coronavirus. So what?" beach-goer Alexei said.
Russia on Sunday reported 6,615 new coronavirus cases and 130 deaths.
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova on Friday proposed that Russia resume international flights to and from the country from July 15, two weeks earlier than the scheduled date of August 1 for resuming international air travel.
The European Union opened its borders to non-essential travellers such as tourists and most business people from a limited number of countries outside the bloc on July 1.
The "safe list" of 14 countries does not currently include Russia.
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