Following recovery, the duo had their first full competition at the 2020 Rostelecom Cup, placing first in the rhythm dance by a wide margin. They struggled toward the end of their free dance, which Sinitsina said was their "first full run-through", but remained comfortably first in both the segment and overall. They subsequently withdrew from the fifth stage of the Russian Cup and the 2021 Russian Championships due to medical issues. Katsalapov subsequently indicated that both had contracted COVID-19, with his being a mild case while hers was "severe" and damaged her lungs. The two were announced as performing in a New Year's skating show to help regain competitive form.