Operations headquarters: bills are being worked out on the introduction of QR codes in transport and shops 
departments bills on the introduction of mandatory QR codes in cafes, transport and shops. This was reported by TASS.
The headquarters added that the State Duma will be informed additionally about the introduction of relevant bills.
The operational headquarters together with the relevant departments are working on these bills. We will additionally inform the media about their introduction to the State Duma
Headquarters for Combating COVID-19
On November 11, RBC, citing a source, reported that the Russian government had developed two bills that would determine the procedure for introducing QR codes in public places and transport. The amendments are planned to be introduced into the law “On the sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.” We are talking about confirming the immunization of citizens when visiting, for example, cafes and restaurants, as well as when boarding a train or plane. At the same time, until February 1, 2022, instead of a QR code, it will be possible to present a negative PCR test. However, from February 1, it will only be valid with a certificate of medical evacuation.
On February 1, from this date, instead of a QR code, it will not be possible to present a negative PCR test without a medical evacuation
According to one of the sources of the publication, the measure is urgent and due to deterioration epidemiological situation in the country. It will be valid until June 2022. The details of the new regulations will be entrusted to the regions.
Which regions have already introduced QR codes in transport and public catering?
Later on November 11, it became known that QR codes on vaccination against COVID-19 will be checked in public transport in Tatarstan on behalf of the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. This is the first Russian region to introduce such a measure. QR codes will be needed in all intra-republican transport, they will be checked at the entrance. Also, the Ministry of Health of the region is considering the possibility of issuing a special QR code for people with a medical withdrawal from vaccination.
Rustam Minnikhanov paid particular attention to the possibility to use not only the electronic version of the QR code, but also the paper one. Such a form of certificate is issued by the MFC, upon the appeal of the residents of the republic, accordingly, these passengers should not have any difficulties with admission to public transport.
Headquarters of Tatarstan
At the same time, the authorities of the Smolensk region on November 11 made a decision to introduce QR codes confirming the fact of vaccination against coronavirus or a previous illness for visiting catering establishments. Changes to the decree on high alert due to the coronavirus pandemic were made by the governor of the Russian region, Alexei Ostrovsky. A medical withdrawal or a negative PCR test is also accepted as a document according to which the passage to cafes and restaurants will be carried out.
What do virologists think?
The introduction of QR codes in public transport, shops and cafes can really help in the fight against the spread of the new coronavirus infection in Russia, said Sergey Netesov, head of the laboratory of biotechnology and virology at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Novosibirsk State University. The virologist explained that such a measure would prevent vaccinated citizens from contacting those who have not been vaccinated. The use of electronic passes combined with large-scale vaccinations will be much more effective in combating the spread of COVID-19 than the introduction of non-working days, Netesov added.
The developer of the Russian vaccine against coronavirus “Sputnik V”, the head of the Gamaleya Center Alexander Gintsburg, in turn, said that the introduction of mandatory QR codes for travel in public transport would be great. This measure will have a positive effect on suppressing the spread of the delta strain of coronavirus, Gunzburg believes.
This measure is effective, we saw evidence of this in the summer on the example of Moscow, when after the introduction of QR codes mass vaccination began
Alexander Gintsburg Head of the Gamaleya Center
He also added that the introduction of QR codes for travel on public transport will serve as an obstacle for other strains of the virus.
Flights with QR codes
The second bill of the government proposes to amend the Air Code and the Charter of railway transport, obliging to present QR codes when buying tickets for a flight. The requirement will come into force on the date set by the Cabinet. A vehicle pass can be obtained for Russians with a negative PCR test, while the government can set a date after which a QR code will be issued only if there is data on vaccination against COVID-19 or a medical withdrawal from vaccination.
Against this background, Vice-President of the Russian Union of Travel Industry Dmitry Gorin suggested introducing QR codes when checking in for a flight, and not when buying air tickets. According to him, if airlines request a document from passengers before booking a flight, this will affect the cost of budget tickets, which are sold in advance. He also noted that before the introduction of QR codes, a transitional period is required, during which it is necessary to allow tourists to fly with PCR tests.
In this case, we believe it would be more expedient to enter QR codes at check-in and boarding for the train, but retain the right to buy a ticket without a QR code
Dmitry Gorinvitse, President of the Russian Union of Travel Industry
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the complete cancellation of QR codes and other restrictions imposed due to the situation with COVID-19 is possible only after the end of the pandemic, and not upon reaching herd immunity. According to him, the public immune threshold is not constant, due to repeated vaccination, it must be constantly maintained at the highest possible level.
At the same time, additional restrictions due to the situation with COVID-19 in Russia, according to him, may be introduced due to lack of herd immunity.