Dear colleagues!
I am forced to turn to you about the still relevant topic of the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to the measures taken by the Government, Russia managed to avoid large-scale, prolonged isolation, which we can observe in most countries of the world. Nevertheless, the danger has not disappeared anywhere – the statistics of seriously ill and dead are steadily growing.
However, if a year ago we could only limit ourselves to standard measures for epidemics, today there is already a solution – a vaccine, and not just one. Unfortunately, the scale of vaccination in Russia remains extremely low, despite the fact that the world's first vaccine was put into production last year.
Today, not all of our fellow citizens have been vaccinated. Dear colleagues, we have a great responsibility for the safe functioning of the state, the smooth operation of all branches of transport, the health and lives of our citizens. Despite all the unprecedented measures taken to ensure the safety of the transport system, we will be able to fully protect ourselves and our loved ones only with the help of a vaccine. Vaccination will help to develop the population of the country has collective immunity, which will make COVID-19 no more dangerous than seasonal flu.
In this regard, I urge you to get vaccinated without delay. Large-scale vaccination has already proved its effectiveness in foreign countries. According to expert organizations, the number of vaccinated citizens in the UAE has exceeded 66%, more than 60% of the population has been vaccinated in Israel, and 48% in the UK. Thanks to these measures, it was possible to significantly reduce the number of sick people.
I suffered from the disease in November last year and I want to say frankly that it is dangerous. At the moment, the tests show a high amount of antibodies, but as soon as it starts to decrease, I will certainly also get vaccinated. Colleagues, let's think about ourselves, our loved ones and the people we work with every day.
With respect,
Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation
Vitaly Savelyev