During her communication with media representatives, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova has informed that the Government of the Russian Federation, with the help of the ruling party, has decided to postpone consideration of the draft law on QR codes indefinitely. According to Golikova, the law was postponed precisely because of “high uncertainty in the epidemiological situation”.
Following the amendment of the law that took place on 14 January, we have the following. First, in the absence of a QR code, public spaces can be visited by citizens on PCR tests. Secondly, if a citizen has a medical exemption against vaccination, the Ministry of Health will be entitled to regulate the period of validity of his or her certificate. Thirdly, military and similar categories of the population will receive certificates in compliance with data protection requirements.
The secretary of the General Council of “United Russia” Andrey Turchak explained that the draft law and the introduced adjustments to it were developed in the context of the spread of the delta-strain of the coronavirus. According to the current epidemiological situation, because of a new omicron-strain, “United Russia” it is only right to postpone consideration of the document.
Moreover, according to Andrei Klisas, Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Law of the Federation Council, the initiative was postponed for the most detailed discussion because it “affects the rights and freedom of citizens”.
The Act was introduced in the State Duma on 12 November 2021. Initially, it was assumed that citizens would have to show electronic certificates with QR codes to stay in public places and to travel on trains and planes. The transport issue was later withdrawn. According to Vyacheslav Volodin’s assurances, at the Council of the State Duma, which will take place on January 17, the bill on QR codes will be withdrawn from consideration for further elaboration.
“I’m sure the deputies will support this decision.” – said the speaker of the lower chamber.
