Moscow city authorities on Thursday ordered most people to stay off work for at least 11 days to stem coronavirus infections, as new daily cases and deaths from Covid-19 in Russia surged to all-time highs. The government's coronavirus task force reported 1,159 deaths in 24 hours, the largest daily tally since the pandemic began. But the State statistics agency, which tallies deaths more broadly, has reported about 418,000 Covid-19 related deaths as of August 1. Putin also instructed local officials to close nightclubs and other entertainment venues, and ordered unvaccinated people older than 60 to stay home. Putin has deplored Russians' vaccine hesitancy.

Source: The Hindu October 29, 2021 08:16 UTC