The lockdown orders will be extended until May 11, President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with regional heads.
The peak of the coronavirus infection in Russia is still ahead of us, the President said. The situation has become relatively stable, but we cannot relax. Russians will need to stay disciplined and do everything they can to make the wave of the epidemic decrease, which will give us a chance to gradually lift the restrictions.
The situation is different in different regions, Vladimir Putin pointed out. Some were the first to face the epidemic, while in other places the threat emerged later. The restrictions and preventive measures should also be different.
When the country as a whole passes the peak of the epidemic, the situation may still remain tense in some of the regions, the president explained.
Meanwhile, by May 5, the government is to prepare recommendations for a phased exit from the coronavirus lockdown starting May 12.
In addition, Putin admitted that the coronavirus hit the economy hard and instructed the government to prepare another package of measures to support individuals and businesses. An action plan should be drafted now, including measures to restore employment and promote economic growth, the president concluded.