Russia unveils more ‘stay at home’ steps

MOSCOW: Russia has ordered restaurants, cafes and resorts closed from Saturday to fight the coronavirus outbreak, but stopped short of insisting on a full-blown lockdown.

Russian regions are to "halt the activities of public food service organisations," except for delivery services, a government decree said on Friday. The decree also ordered regional authorities to halt the work of hotels and resorts and other similar venues until June, and to recommend that Russians limit travel.

Speaking at a meeting of the country's anti-coronavirus task force, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said "harsh, even prohibitive measures are needed" to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading at crowded places.

They are dictated by "the necessity to cut down on any movements" and to postpone any non-essential travel and avoid public, he said. "Staying home right now is the most important thing for everyone."