Coronavirus threat forces Chechen authorities to change rhetoric

After coronavirus was diagnosed in three locals, Chechen authorities have switched over from calls not to fear the infection to harsh criticism of quarantine regime violators. It was decided to close most of local restaurants, cinemas and concert halls.

Ramzan Kadyrov has criticized a coronavirus patient for ignoring the quarantine regime. In his opinion, death should be the punishment for infecting others.

Also, Minister Suleimanov has urged on Instagram residents of Chechnya to responsibly self-isolate.

However, back on March 16, Kadyrov urged residents of Chechnya not to be afraid of coronavirus and claimed that water mixed with honey and lemon could help to avoid the infection, while Djambulat Umarov, the Chechen Minister for National Policy, assured that coronavirus will never take root in Chechnya as it is afraid of wild garlic (ramson) scent.

In his Telegram channel, Kadyrov announced "adjustments to the work of restaurants and cafés." Besides, he finds it reasonable to postpone weddings.

Magomed Daudov, the Speaker of the Chechen Parliament, has further tightened the restrictions by announcing the closure of everything except pharmacies, hospitals, and grocery stores.