Moscow is planning to hand out instruction booklets about the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, along with tickets for New Year’s performances for children, Deputy Mayor Lyudmila Shvetsova said, RIA-Novosti reported.

The booklets will remind parents that sick children shouldn’t go to performances, while healthy ones should wear face masks and have anti-flu drops. Children will be examined by health care workers before the performances, the report said. About 5,000 events are scheduled to take place in Moscow during the New Year’s holidays.

At least 1,841 swine flu cases have been confirmed in Russia as of Friday, including 771 in children, Interfax reported.

(MT)