The RF Ministry of Justice informs that the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum "Nine and three quarters: Vaccination with law" will take place from May 18 to 22.

 On March 19, 2021, the Bank of Russia decided to raise the key rate by 25 basic points up to 4.5% per annum. 

 Another form of defence of doctoral thesis has been introduced: it may be formalised as a scientific report prepared on the basis of previously published works. Applicants specialising in natural, technical, biomedical and agricultural sciences must have at least 30 published works within the previous 10 years in internationally recognised publications. For soft sciences, economic and social sciences the number of such publications is fixed as at least 50.

 Any laboratory, including private non-state laboratories, has the right to organise testing for coronavirus. To do this, one can submit a notification on the website of the Federal Centre for Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing. The only requirement is the mandatory transfer of information to the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing in case of detection of a new coronavirus.

 The Government of the Russian Federation informed about the adopted decision on the next extension of the deadlines for the suspension of flights with Great Britain - until 23:59 hours on April 16, 2021.

 The Government of the Russian Federation decided to extend the tourist cashback programme for 2021. The conditions of the program will remain the same: the duration of the tour or hotel stay is at least two nights; the refund amount - 20% of the tour cost, but not more than 20 thousand roubles; trips must be paid for with a Mir card.

 From September 1, 2021, new requirements will apply to the first aid kits used to provide first aid to employees. Twelve items (medical devices) are designated for the complete set. First aid instructions are required. Previously produced (completed) first-aid kits may be used until their expiration date, but no later than until August 31, 2025.

 Rospotrebnadzor submitted draft new Rules for providing paid medical services. In general, the draft repeats the current Rules, however, a number of points are planned to be settled differently: 

 In the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, the term “minimum monthly wage” was replaced by fixed amounts. This parameter was used in the context of determining the value of the item being transferred for storage.

 Ministry of Education and Federal Education and Science Supervision Service presented a draft timetable for the Unified National Exam for 2021. 

 Law on access to information on the state of the environment is signed. 

In the 2021/2022 academic year, universities will be able to conduct intermediate certification for undergraduate, specialist and graduate programs using distance learning technologies that provide personal identification through the Unified Biometric System and control of test conditions (proctoring service).

 Evasion of registration and vaccination of dogs and cats living in Moscow against rabies in veterinary institutions is punishable by a fine.

 Provisions of Federal Law No. 325-FZ on the uniform term for organisations to pay transport and land taxes came into force. Since now taxpayers shall pay the mentioned taxes no later than on March 1 of the year following the expired tax period. 

 Starting from March 1, 2021, new forms for residence permits are applicable. 

 The Governmental Decision has extended for six months validity period of diagnostic cards that which expire from February 1 to September 30, 2021. 

 The RF Ministry for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters explained that smoking cigarettes on balconies of apartment buildings is not prohibited by the new Fire Fighting Regulations. However, if a cigarette butt, a match, or a burning spark fly out from the "smoking" balcony and fall on someone else's balcony or even into an open window of another apartment and result in a fire, than the smoker will face at least an administrative penalty. And if such fire causes serious consequences, then there will also be criminal liability. 

 For ninth-graders, certificates of the basic general education will be issued based on the results of the state final certification in the Russian language and mathematics. Exams for other subjects are not planned. 

 Amendments have been made to the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, according to which:

 The RF Ministry of Public Health announces the registration of the third Russian vaccine for prevention of the coronavirus. It is named "KoviVac" and created using classical technology. The new vaccine contains the inactivated virus.

 Amendments to the Law on International Companies and Funds have been introduced. 

 Amendments have been made to the Law on Education, which permanently provide for the special right of orphans and children without parental care, as well as to certain categories of veterans, to enroll in undergraduate and specialty programs within the established quota at the expense of the corresponding budget of the budgetary system of the Russian Federation. Admission is possible subject to the successful entrance tests.