President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday extended the national “non-working” month through May 11, warning that Russia has yet to see the peak of its coronavirus outbreak.
Russia now ranks eighth in the world for coronavirus infections, with 93,558 confirmed Covid-19 cases as of Tuesday. Putin originally declared a “non-working” week late in March, then extended it until Thursday, April 30, as Russia registered increases in COVID-19 cases.
Putin also ordered officials to draw up measures to gradually lift restrictions starting May 12 by next week. Russia's governors are still authorized to take measures against the outbreak specific to their regions.
His announcement comes two days after Russia’s top health official warned of another spike in Covid-19 cases after the early May public holidays if people ignored lockdown measures. Market data indicated that demand for barbecue and grilling products grew by 1.5 this weekend compared with earlier in April, suggesting preparations to spend the holidays in countryside dachas.
Russia saw 72 deaths in last 24 hours, with this bringing the total death toll to 867. The country has so far recorded 93,558 cases.
