Russia will begin to ease its coronavirus-related restrictions, President Vladimir Putin has announced. The exit from the partial lockdown will be gradual and not too fast, he added. “Starting from tomorrow, May 12, the joint non-working period for the whole country and for all the sectors of its economy ends,” Putin said during a televised speech on Monday. But the fight against the epidemic does not end. The danger persists, even in areas where the situation is relatively safe. The non-working period was announced in Russia in late March and has been extended several times since then. The conclusion of the ‘holiday’ period allows Russia’s regional authorities to begin lifting Covid-related restrictions. This process will not be fast, Putin said, and all anti-coronavirus precautionary measures will remain in place. Any mass gatherings will remain banned across the country as well. The mandatory self-isolation regime that has been in place for weeks across Russia will be prolonged for the elderly (65 years and older), as well as for individuals suffering from chronic diseases.
WtR