Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a government proposal for a week-long workplace shutdown at the start of November to combat a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases and deaths, reports Reuters.
Coronavirus-related deaths across Russia in the past 24 hours have hit yet another daily record at 1,028, with 34,073 new infections.
Speaking at a televised meeting with government officials, Putin said the "non-working days" from October 30 to November 7, during which people would continue to receive salaries, could begin earlier or be extended for certain regions.
