MOSCOW — Russia’s consumer health watchdog advised people on Friday to refrain from greeting each other with handshakes, kisses or hugs and to wear medical masks in crowded public places to try to stop China’s virus outbreak spreading to Russia. Rospotrebnadzor, the state watchdog, told Russian businesses that employ Chinese nationals to extend their holidays until further notice if the employees are already on leave in China. It also issued new hygiene guidelines in which it advised Russians to tie back long hair, avoid touching door knobs and banisters in public places and to avoid close contact with people with flu symptoms. Russia said on Wednesday it would keep its land border with China closed to pedestrians and vehicles. The death toll from the new virus reached 213 in China on Friday and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency.

Source: National Post January 31, 2020 10:07 UTC