January 23, 2021: mass vaccination against COVID-19 in Rostov Oblast has already begun. 13,500 doses of Sputnik V, also known as Gam-COVID-Vac, were delivered to Rostov-on-Don, Azov, Bataysk, Novocherkassk, Novoshakhtinsk, Shakhty, Volgodonsk. New large quantities of the vaccine are to be sent by the end of January. In the near future it is planned to vaccinate two million Rostov Oblast residents (about 60%).

Rostov Oblast Governor Vasily Golubev had previously announced a number of restrictions in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Since December 2020, all public catering establishments in hotels are open only from 7AM to 10PM. Operation of indoor water parks is prohibited. Residents of Taganrog above 65 years of age still must stay indoors unless they are going out for essential needs such as to seek emergency medical care, to obtain food from the nearest shop, walk pets within 100 meters from home or take out the garbage.

As of January 23, 60658 cases of COVID-19 have been registered in Rostov Oblast region, and 50219 persons have already recovered.