Moscow has announced an 11-day lockdown with restaurants, bars and non-essential shops forced to close after Russia saw a record day of 1,036 Covid-19 deaths.
The capital's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced the October 28 to November 7 closure on Thursday, a day after President Vladimir Putin ordered a nationwide paid week off at the end of the month to curb fast spreading infections.
Russia, the European country hardest hit by the pandemic, has seen Covid-19 deaths soar and vaccination rates stall in recent weeks.
Russia reported 1,036 Covid-19 deaths in a single day on Thursday, but officials have warned the worst is yet to come, with only 35 percent of Russians fully vaccinated.
Putin will have no in-person meetings during the non-working period, the Kremlin said.
'There will be no face-to-face events taking into account the difficult epidemiological situation,' his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agency RIA Novosti.
Authorities have previously gone to great lengths to protect the 69-year-old, who the Kremlin says is fully vaccinated.
Russia reported 1,036 Covid-19 deaths in a single day on Thursday, but officials have warned the worst is yet to come, with only 35 percent of Russians fully vaccinated
The capital's lockdown was announced a day after President Vladimir Putin ordered a nationwide paid week off at the end of the month to curb fast spreading infections
Putin will have no in-person meetings during the non-working period, the Kremlin said. Authorities have previously gone to great lengths to protect the 69-year-old, who the Kremlin says is fully vaccinated
In Russia's capital and the epicentre of its outbreak, Sobyanin said all non-essential retail, sporting and entertainment venues must temporarily close. Shops selling food, medicine and other essentials will remain open.
Restaurants and cafes will be able to sell take-away food, the mayor said in a statement.
Mass events will be banned and schools will be closed, with the days off coinciding with national school holidays.
Theatres and museums can stay open, but entry will be allowed only with QR codes.
The mayor said the measures were necessary because the 'situation in Moscow is continuing to develop according to the worst-case scenario'.
When restrictions end on November 8, Moscow will also halt free public transport passes for unvaccinated passengers over 60
