Voronezh fines trade outlet owners for uncleared snow and slippery steps

The Voronezh city hall reported on large-scale raids on trade outlets conducted by officials from the Department of Entrepreneurship Development, Consumer Market, and Innovation Policy together with colleagues from district administrations. They inspect kiosks, shops, mini- and supermarkets, etc. — looking for trash, as well as snow and ice on approaches to the objects, steps, and ramps. If they find any, and there are no traces of sand treatment — they issue warnings to the owners and draw up protocols for non-compliance with improvement rules under Article 33.1 of the Voronezh Oblast Law on Administrative Offenses. The fine for citizens under it ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles (approximately $20–40 at current rates), for officials — from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles ($40–65), and for legal entities — from 5,000 to 25,000 rubles ($65–325).

On January 22, as reported by the city hall, commissions inspected about 400 trade outlets in the Leninsky, Tsentralny, and Zheleznodorozhny districts. However, only 22 protocols were drawn up. Where hundreds of people injured due to black ice came from in a week — is a surprising question. Prosecutors are now looking for an answer: they are submitting representations to officials demanding to clear the streets of snow and ice and punish the guilty, and initiating cases against utility workers of management companies. About how a wheelchair user broke both legs after falling on an icy ramp of an apartment building — in the article Voronezh1.ru. This incident is being investigated by the Investigative Committee, and the criminal case is under the control of Alexander Bastrykin.