QR in St. Petersburg: Beglov's unexpected decision, fines and lawyer's opinion

Where and when will they stop letting people in without vaccination certificates; and what threatens those who do not follow the rules

The slowdown in the incidence of CORONAVIRUS in St. Petersburg allowed the city authorities to postpone until December 27 the entry into force of the decree, which provides for the introduction of QR codes mandatory for visiting cafes and shopping centers. “We considered it possible to give Petersburgers the opportunity, firstly, to get vaccinated, well, and then to make purchases for the New Year holidays,” Governor Alexander Beglov said the other day.

From December 27, QR codes will also be required to check into hotels, with the exception of people with a negative PCR test result passed within the last 72 hours. When checking in by PCR test, you will need to update it every three days. At the same time, hotel guests will be allowed to visit restaurants located on their territory.

RBC Petersburg has collected information about where and when they will soon stop letting people in without vaccination certificates; and what threatens those who do not follow the rules.

When and what QR codes are entered?

In October 2021, the governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov signed amendments to city government decree No. 121, which made the presence of a QR code a mandatory condition for visiting public places. Fans of cultural leisure and tourists were the first to face the new requirements.