The article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and coronavirus infection on the development of the Arctic regions of the Russian Federation. On the basis of sociological research in many Arctic regions of the country are identified the main problems faced by the economy and the population in a pandemic and spread of coronavirus infection (the risk of limiting the activities of mining companies because of the risk of illness of workers, restrictions on movement, prohibitions and restrictions on employment in traditional crafts for local people, job loss and reduced income, fear for their health and that of loved ones). The peculiarity of the conducted sociological surveys was that they took into account the opinion and interests of indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North in assessing the impact of the spread of coronavirus on their living conditions and traditional nature management.