Traffic restrictions are introduced in Moscow

Police will severely restrict the movement of vehicles in Moscow because of the numerous demonstrations that will take place in different parts of the city on February 4, said Moscow's police press service to ITAR-TASS. Temporary traffic restrictions will be introduced as of 23.00 Moscow time on Thursday on Sakharov Prospect and Masha Poryvaeva Street (from Kalanchevskaya Street until Sadovo-Spasskaya Street). The restrictions will be in effect until the conclusion of the public events on February 4. On Saturday as of 09.30 Moscow time and until the end of the events, temporary traffic restrictions will be introduced on Bolshaya Yakimanka, Bolotnaya street, Bolotnaya square and Faleev lane.  Around 13:00 traffic will be restricted on Bolshaya Polyanka, Maliy Kamenny bridge, Serafimovich street and Bolshoy Kamenny bridge. Police asked drivers to use caution and comply with the requirements imposed by the temporary road signs, instructions of traffic controllers and follow path detour. There are four public events that were agreed on with authorities that will take place simultaneiously in Moscow on Saturday. From 13:00 to 14:00 Moscow time there will be a march with the following route -from the platform in front of the French Embassy in the Russian Federation - Bolshaya Yakimanka street - Yakimanskii drive- Bolshaya Polyanka - Maliy Kamenny Bridge - Bolotnaya Square. After this, from 14:00 to 15:00 a demonstration will be held on Bolotnaya Square with expected number of participants reaching up to 50 thousand people . In addition, there is another rally planned to take place on the main avenue of the Victory Park  - 13:00 to 14:30, which expects to attract up to 15 thousand people, as well as a demonstration in Pushkin Square from 12:00 to 14:00 GMT with up to 1.5 thousand people, and a rally on Sakharov Avenue with up to 30 thousand people. About 9 thousand police officers will be ensuring public order, safety and security during the mass events that will take place throughout the city on Saturday, said the governmental press service. Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Russia Gennady Onishenko warned all participants on Thursday that consuming alcohol or tea would not be of much help against the severe cold weather that is expected on February 4. "Tea creates a short-lived positive effect; and then everything will be as it was, while the effect alcohol causes is far worse," Onishchenko added. "If you are still set to rally on February 4, no matter who you side with, put on your grandma's felt boots, and sheepskin coats -- through which moths have not eaten yet and that are still fashionable. Then go and rally on either side," Onishchenko said. As a rule, persons tend to select clothes that best suit their lifestyle, Onishchenko said advising to put on warmer outfits and not to rally "in everyday clothes."