Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday approved a government proposal for a weeklong workplace shutdown at the start of November to combat a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Coronavirus-related deaths across Russia in the past 24 hours hit yet another daily record at 1,028, with 34,073 new infections.
Speaking at a televised meeting with government officials, Putin said the "non-working days" from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7, during which people would continue to receive salaries, could begin earlier or be extended for certain regions.