Traffic police in Moscow will block streets near the capital's main cemeteries to private and commercial vehicles this Sunday and next as many Muscovites mark Easter by visiting the graves of loved ones.
"In connection with the mass visits to city cemeteries by Muscovites and visitors to the capital during Easter, on April 17 and 24 April from 06:00 to 18:00 Moscow time a number of administrative districts in Moscow will introduce partial restrictions on the movement of vehicles, except fixed-route public transport," the city transport police said on Saturday.
This year, Eastern Orthodox Churches, including the Russian Orthodox Church, celebrate Easter at the same time as their western counterparts, with Palm Sunday falling on April 17 and Easter Sunday on April 24.
Several major highways into Moscow will also be affected by the traffic restrictions due to major roadside cemeteries.
Although the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Easter as a joyous time, many Russians keep to the tradition of visiting cemeteries to remember loved ones.
MOSCOW, April 16 (RIA Novosti)
