Citizens were also told to limit their use of private vehicles, according to local governments.
Russia’s Siberian government officials are telling businesses to shift to remote work when possible and limit energy consumption, according to local media reports.
“Officials are … advised to plan official trips more selectively and make wider use of remote interaction formats (such as conducting meetings online),” said Olga Krylova, the deputy governor of Siberia’s Tomsk region.
In Novosibirsk, another Siberian region, Deputy Governor Konstantin Khalzov signed a decree recommending all businesses let employees work remotely, with the exception of essential workers.
The decree also encourages citizens to use their cars as little as possible. “We recommend that residents of the Novosibirsk region limit the use of private vehicles. If travel is necessary, they should ensure they have enough fuel to reach their destination and return,” reads the document.
Both Novosibirsk and Tomsk border Omsk, which is home to one of Russia’s biggest oil refineries. The facility was significantly damaged as a result of Ukraine’s drone attacks on July 6.
A fuel crisis has been spreading to almost every corner of Russia. Currently, only one out of the country’s 89 regions has not introduced energy restrictions, local journalists report, while some areas are now implementing an odd-even system for gasoline sales in an effort to ease the disruption. Depending on the region, drivers are estimated to spend up to 12 hours waiting in line for fuel.