MOSCOW, March 30. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has ordered to step up measures on preventing the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
"We are monitoring the situation with the coronavirus spread in a real-time mode. I emphasize that those decisions made by the president and the government were absolutely justified in order to protect people to the fullest extent possible and to help our healthcare system cope with treating those ill," Mishustin said opening a meeting with the deputy prime ministers.
"This has yielded certain results but now it is most important not to reduce this pace and intensify this effort," he stressed.
"Now our priority task is to work proactively and reduce the spread of the virus," Mishustin said.
This whole week will be a public holiday in Russia under a presidential decree as a measure to slow the spread of the virus, the prime minister stressed. A decision has been made to shut down all entertainment facilities and shops, except for groceries. On March 28-April 5, cafes and restaurants will switch to take out and delivery orders. The government has approved a list of essential goods, which should be supplied.
"Besides, responsibility will be tightened for violating quarantine measures and the government has approved the respective amendments to the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses," Mishustin said.
Since March 30, temporary restrictions will be introduced on all types of traffic through the Russian border, including its land border with Belarus.