Ekaterinburg Will Not Be Closed for the SCO Summit

28.05.2009 — News

THE SVERDLOVSK OBLAST.

Eduard Rossel, the Governor of the Sverdlovsk Oblast, denied rumours about the transport blockade of Ekaterinburg during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit on 15-16 June 2009. According to him, the visit of several heads of state will not discomfort the city residents too seriously.

Right before the summit while urban amenities works are held in Ekaterinburg, rumours are spread about a possible block-off of the large part of the city for transport and pedestrians for several days. Many residents are now looking into having an unscheduled vacation for the period to avoid the transport collapse. Some companies and organizations located in the centre of Ekaterinburg are ready to suspend their operations for the week. Some drivers share a fear of special passes to be introduced for driving around the city.

As Eduard Rossel claimed, the delegations will be accommodated at the five-star Hyatt Regency Ekaterinburg and are not planning any long trips in the city. Part of Ekaterinburg central routes will be cordoned-off for short periods of motorcades' passage.

However, the Sverdlovsk Oblast capital will not avoid several transport limitations. The Oblast Government informed RusBusinessNews that Koltsovo airport will operate on a special schedule during the summit: some flights will be rescheduled, and some entirely cancelled.