“Believe me, the safest thing now is to be at home,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said, declaring a week-long national holiday from March 28 to April 5.
ussian President Vladimir Putin has offered citizens a week-long paid vacation and has ordered new military checks to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus pandemic.
In a televised address to the nation Wednesday, Putin declared a week-long national holiday lasting from March 28 to April 5 in the country of roughly 144 million people. Essential industries such as medical institutions, pharmacies, shops, banks, financial institutions, transportation, as well as government bodies at all levels will continue to work.
“All recommendations must be followed,” Putin said. “It is necessary to protect yourself and your loved ones, to show discipline and responsibility, and believe me, the safest thing now is to be at home.”
Russia so far has reported comparatively few cases of the new coronavirus disease. As of Tuesday, the Russian Ministry of Health recorded 658 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 29 recoveries and a single death.
Putin warned, however, that Russians should not be naive or careless in their approach toward a virus “that can affect everyone.”
More @ Source: Vladimir Putin Gives Russia One-Week Paid Vacation, Orders Military to Prepare to Stop Coronavirus Outbreak
