Faced with the record number of deaths and daily contaminations for several days in a row, the Russian government announced a first measure at the national level to curb the epidemic wave.
"Of course, I support the proposal to declare the period from October 30 to November 7 as nonworking," Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.
This week of paid vacation coincides with the Russian school holidays and only November 1, 2 and 3 were open, due to weekend days and public holidays.
The Russian president also implored the population, very recalcitrant, to be vaccinated.
"Please be responsible," he said, "there are only two ways out of this (epidemic) time: either by getting sick or by getting vaccinated."
He called Russia's low vaccination rate “dangerous”.
The week of extendable leave depending on the region
Vladimir Poutine also called for speeding up screening and strengthening measures to isolate contact cases.
The Russian president has also given the regions the option of starting earlier or extending the week off if the epidemic situation warrants it.
Russia has been facing an epidemic wave since June due to the Delta variant which has worsened considerably for a month against a background of sluggish vaccination, non-existent health restrictions and measures of distancing and wearing of the mask little or not respected.
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Covid 19
epidemic
Coronavirus
Vladimir Poutine
Russia
Health