Russia's Novosibirsk pushes remote work to cut fuel consumption

Authorities in Russia’s Novosibirsk region have urged companies to shift employees to remote work and residents to limit car travel as part of measures aimed at conserving fuel, following the introduction of a high-alert regime.

According to a regional decree, organisations not involved in essential services are recommended to transition staff to remote working arrangements and reduce fuel consumption, while ensuring that social and economic processes and legal requirements are not disrupted.

"Recommend that organisations (employers), regardless of ownership, not related to life-support of the population, transfer employees (workers) to a remote work mode, reduce fuel consumption in order to decrease fuel usage volumes, without disrupting social and economic processes and legal requirements, until the high-alert regime is lifted," the document states. The decree was signed by the Acting Governor of the Novosibirsk Region, Konstantin Khalzov.

Residents have also been advised to restrict the use of personal vehicles both within and outside the region until the measures are lifted. Authorities said those who need to travel should ensure they have sufficient fuel for a round trip.

The high-alert regime was introduced on July 8 and will remain in force until further notice.

By Tamilla Hasanova