Russian President Vladimir Putin is self-isolating as a precaution after several members of his entourage fell ill with Covid-19, but is "absolutely" healthy and does not have the disease himself, according to the Kremlin.

Putin, 68, will therefore not travel to Tajikistan this week for planned regional security meetings which he will take part in by video conference instead.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin had been in touch with several people in his entourage who had fallen ill with Covid-19. "Of course we know who fell ill in the president's entourage and the self-isolation [regime] does not directly affect the president's work," said Peskov.

Asked if Putin had tested negative for Covid-19, Peskov said: "Of course yes. The president is absolutely healthy."

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