Moscow's annual book fair draws crowds despite coronavirus curbs

People attend the annual Red Square Book Fair amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in central Moscow, Russia June 6, 2020. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Hundreds of Moscow residents flocked to an open-air book fair in Red Square on Saturday, though some publishing houses opted to stay away as city authorities keep most coronavirus restrictions in place.

Organisers of the annual book fair, which was attended by 300,000 people last year, have implemented numerous measures to stem the spread of the virus - with chairs spaced one metre apart and temperature checks at the entrance.