Russian President, Vladimir Putin has announced that the non-working days introduced to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will come to an end on May 12.
The non-working days are cancelled for all sectors of the economy, the president said during a video address on May 11.
However, Mr Putin highlighted that the quarantine restrictions will be extended for Russian residents over the age of 65, as well as those with chronic illnesses. He also announced additional benefits to support families with children during the pandemic.
The president also made known that the non-working days, which began on March 30, have been going on for six weeks.
“This extraordinary measure allowed us to hold off and to slow down the spread of the epidemic,” he stated.
The president claimed that this time allowed Russia to build up stocks of necessary medical equipment and prepare for treating people with severe complications from COVID-19.