Tough virus laws playing straight into the hands of Russian autocracy

Moscow is the past master of the secret state and Covid-19 is giving it free rein to introduce tough new rules such as mobile phone tracking and enhanced face-recognition CCTV. What is less clear is the regime’s capacity to implement its totalitarian vision, says Oliver Carroll

The worst of the surveillance would be reserved for those with the Covid-19 infection (Anadolu/Getty)

If you are feeling anxious, angry, bemused, and/or bewildered, spare a thought for Muscovites. Last Wednesday, residents of the Russian capital were told by their president to prepare for a week of paid, non-working leave. On Friday, Vladimir Putin’s staff clarified things somewhat: “non-working leave” did not mean non-working, just “not being at work”. On Sunday evening, the advisory changed again: “leave” meant “compulsory lockdown” with no right to be on the streets without permission.

By Monday morning, details of Moscow’s dystopian lockdown plan had found their way into the local media. According to what appears to be a policy draft, bureaucrats are finalising a system that will divide citizens into four castes. Top dogs are the bureaucrats, MPs and law enforcement, for whom Moscow remains open. Next come key workers – they are free to move between home and place of work provided they have the paperwork. A third category of citizens needing to make regular and longer trips can do so, though only to a prior agreed address.

The fourth category are ordinary citizens – and journalists appear to be among them – who are limited to taking out the rubbish, walking dogs within 100m of their home, and essential supermarket or medicine runs.