Kadyrov's example prevents residents of Chechnya from accepting mask regime

Supermarket workers in Grozny are intimidated by strict checks and are closely monitoring the presence of medical masks on customers, local residents report. Ramzan Kadyrov and his entourage are demonstratively ignoring the mask regime, and this noticeably annoys people, analysts note.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in late July, residents of Chechnya were ordered to strictly observe the mask regime.

"Nobody is now let into supermarkets without masks, neither adults nor children," said Said-Akhmad, a resident of Grozny.

"Clients are important to us, but it's even more important to keep on working. The mask regime has been tightened throughout the republic. We are forbidden to admit visitors without masks," said Madina, an employee of a Grozny supermarket.

Kadyrov behaved like a hospitable host towards the bloggers who came to the republic, Ali Magomaev, a political analyst, believes. "Therefore, he didn't focus the guests' attention on the quarantine in force in the republic, and didn't remind bloggers about the mask regime."

Kadyrov's orders are a must for everyone except himself and those whom he treats as his closest associates, said Islam, who once worked for the administration of the head of Chechnya.

According to his story, Kadyrov is not very interested in what fellow citizens think of him, but he is not indifferent to what opinion the guests of the republic have of him. They can raise Kadyrov's rating as the head of the region, the ex-official has noted.

"Apparently, Kadyrov considers himself invulnerable; therefore, he appears everywhere without a mask," Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the "Civil Assistance" Committee, has suggested.