Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Wall Street Hits Over One-Week Low on Tariff Uncertainty, Data in Focus

7 hours ago

US Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Use of Troops in Los Angeles

7 hours ago

Garnet Fire in Fresno County Grows to 26,982 Acres, 12% Contained

7 hours ago

US Construction Spending Dips in July

7 hours ago

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Law Redrawing Congressional Maps

4 days ago

US Air Force will Offer Military Funeral Honors to Slain Capitol Rioter

4 days ago

US Republican Senator Joni Ernst Will Not Run for Re-Election, CBS News Reports

4 days ago

Minneapolis Children Revealed Courage, Absorbed Fear During Church Shooting

5 days ago
Russia's Putin Orders Non-Working Month to Curb Coronavirus
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
April 2, 2020

Share

MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered most Russians to stay off work until the end of the month as part of a partial economic shutdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Speaking in a televised address to the nation on Thursday, Putin said he was extending the non-working policy he ordered earlier for this week to remain in force throughout April. He emphasized that all employees should continue earning their regular salaries during the period.

Putin said some essential industries will keep operating, and grocery stores and pharmacies will remain open.

He said Russia’s virus-prevention strategies have bought time and helped slow down the outbreak but also warned that the number of cases will continue climbing.

“The threat remains, and experts believe that the epidemic is yet to reach its peak in the world, including our country.” — President Vladimir Putin

Putin said it would be up to regional authorities to decide which companies and organizations could keep working in their areas depending on the situation.

Earlier this week, the Russian parliament empowered the cabinet to introduce the state of emergency allowing it to tighten restrictions — an authority that previously had belonged only to the president.

Some Kremlin critics have assailed Putin for stopping short of declaring a nationwide lockdown, opting instead for the ill-defined non-working order.

Photo of a woman wearing a face mask in Russia
A woman wearing face mask waits to cross a nearly empty road due to residents taking the advice of staying at home to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, with Moscow City skyscrapers in the background, in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, April 2, 2020. Online shopping for food and other supplies has boomed in Moscow after the authorities put most residents on lockdown. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Russian Officials Registered 771 New Cases on Thursday, a 43% Increase From the Previous Day

Many observers pointed out that Putin’s decision to let the cabinet and regional governors decide on specific steps to counter the outbreak reflected an attempt to avoid being associated with unpopular moves and bear responsibility for the mounting number of cases.

Putin argued that regional authorities must be given a free hand to handle anti-coronavirus measures because the situation varies widely across the vast country.

“Our country is very big, population density differs widely and there are areas where the coronavirus already is posing a serious threat like in Moscow where we haven’t been able yet to change the situation despite the measures being taken,” Putin said.

In Moscow, which has about two-thirds of all known virus cases in Russia, the mayor introduced a strict lockdown that is to be enforced through electronic surveillance.

Most other regions of Russia followed Moscow’s example, but some areas so far unscathed by the epidemic have applied more lax rules.

Russian officials registered 771 new cases on Thursday, a 43% increase from the previous day, bringing the country’s reported total to 3,548 with 30 deaths.

The Russian leader said that along with safeguarding the public’s health, it’s also important to protect people’s incomes and prevent a spike in unemployment.

Photo of Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses Russian citizens on the State Television channels at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Thursday, April 2, 2020. Putin has ordered most Russians to stay off work until the end of the month to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Speaking in a televised address to the nation on Thursday, Putin said he was extending the non-working policy he ordered earlier for this week to remain in force throughout April. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

The Government Has Insisted That the Country Is Well Prepared and Has All the Necessary Supplies

“An efficient and stable economy is key to solving our tasks, including in the health care system,” he added.

But the opposition said the government has failed to offer a feasible program to support business, warning that Putin’s order would effectively kill most of the nation’s small and medium enterprises and leave many Russians starving.

The government has insisted that the country is well prepared and has all the necessary supplies. Moscow has sent teams of military medics to Italy to help counter the outbreak and on Wednesday delivered a planeload of medical supplies to the United States.

“The people have no money to just sit at home without working, and employers have no cash,” Russia’s top opposition leader Alexei Navalny tweeted.

There have been broad fears that Russia’s underfunded health care system would be hard-pressed to deal with the outbreak. Medical workers across the country have complained about shortages of essential protective gear and other supplies.

The government has insisted that the country is well prepared and has all the necessary supplies. Moscow has sent teams of military medics to Italy to help counter the outbreak and on Wednesday delivered a planeload of medical supplies to the United States.

The flight follows Monday’s phone call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in which they discussed cooperation to fight the outbreak. Trump hailed Russia’s move as “very nice.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the U.S. paid for half of the medical supplies while the other half of the cost was sponsored by Russia’s state investment fund.

Russian officials have angrily dismissed claims that the Kremlin was seeking political gains by providing medical aid to Italy and other countries. In February, Russia provided medical aid to China and later dispatched assistance to Iran, North Korea, Venezuela and various ex-Soviet nations.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

They Were Convicted of Gang Crimes. New CA Supreme Court Rulings Trim Their Sentences

DON'T MISS

Former Fresno Councilmember and Assemblymember Mike Briggs Dies After Cancer Battle

DON'T MISS

US Congress Returns, With One Month to Avert Government Shutdown

DON'T MISS

Trump Says His Administration Will Ask Supreme Court for Expedited Ruling on Tariffs

DON'T MISS

Trump Says He’s Committed to Sending National Guard Troops to Chicago

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Teen After Traffic Stop Leads to Foot Chase, Firearm Recovery

DON'T MISS

Trump Dismisses Rumors He Is in Ill Health, Calls Them ‘Fake’

DON'T MISS

US Appeals Court Allows Trump’s EPA to Nix Climate Grants

DON'T MISS

Rubio Says US Military Conducted Lethal Strike Against Drug Vessel From Venezuela

DON'T MISS

Trump Says He Is ‘Very Disappointed’ With Putin Over Ukraine

UP NEXT

China’s Xi Hosts ‘Old Friend’ Putin, North Korea’s Kim in Challenge to West

UP NEXT

Plea for Help After Landslide Wipes out Sudan Village, Killing 1,000

UP NEXT

Recognition of Palestinian State Would Spur Sprint Towards Two-State Solution, Envoy Says

UP NEXT

US Issues Iran-Related Sanctions on Network of Shipping Companies, Vessels

UP NEXT

Thousands of Israeli Reservists Report for Duty, as Military Chief Clashes With Ministers

UP NEXT

New Quake of Magnitude 5.5 Shakes Devastated Afghan Region as Death Toll Exceeds 1,400

UP NEXT

Aid Flotilla for Gaza Departs Barcelona After Stormy Weather Turnaround

UP NEXT

Israel Pounds Gaza City Suburbs, Netanyahu to Convene Security Cabinet

UP NEXT

Thousands in Australia March Against Immigration, Government Condemns Rally

UP NEXT

Greta Thunberg Joins Flotilla Heading for Gaza With Aid

Trump Says His Administration Will Ask Supreme Court for Expedited Ruling on Tariffs

2 hours ago

Trump Says He’s Committed to Sending National Guard Troops to Chicago

2 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Teen After Traffic Stop Leads to Foot Chase, Firearm Recovery

2 hours ago

Trump Dismisses Rumors He Is in Ill Health, Calls Them ‘Fake’

2 hours ago

US Appeals Court Allows Trump’s EPA to Nix Climate Grants

2 hours ago

Rubio Says US Military Conducted Lethal Strike Against Drug Vessel From Venezuela

2 hours ago

Trump Says He Is ‘Very Disappointed’ With Putin Over Ukraine

2 hours ago

Letter to the Editor: CSU Chancellor’s Silence on Joe Castro’s Passing ‘Is Appalling’

2 hours ago

Disney to Pay $10 Million to Settle US Claim of Allowing Unlawful Collection of Children’s Data

3 hours ago

Trump Moves Space Command Headquarters to Alabama From Colorado

3 hours ago

They Were Convicted of Gang Crimes. New CA Supreme Court Rulings Trim Their Sentences

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. The California Supreme Court handed down two decisions las...

10 minutes ago

The California Supreme Court (CalMatters/File)
10 minutes ago

They Were Convicted of Gang Crimes. New CA Supreme Court Rulings Trim Their Sentences

Mike Briggs
24 minutes ago

Former Fresno Councilmember and Assemblymember Mike Briggs Dies After Cancer Battle

The U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., as the death toll from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic exceeds 100,000 victims, May 27, 2020. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

US Congress Returns, With One Month to Avert Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump leaves, following a cabinet meeting, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 26, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Trump Says His Administration Will Ask Supreme Court for Expedited Ruling on Tariffs

A subway train travels on an elevated track above the Wells Street bridge in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., August 25, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Trump Says He’s Committed to Sending National Guard Troops to Chicago

A 17-year-old on probation was arrested in southwest Fresno after fleeing a traffic stop and discarding a loaded firearm, police said on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Fresno PD)
2 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Teen After Traffic Stop Leads to Foot Chase, Firearm Recovery

President Donald Trump gestures during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 26, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Trump Dismisses Rumors He Is in Ill Health, Calls Them ‘Fake’

Signage at the headquarters of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 18, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

US Appeals Court Allows Trump’s EPA to Nix Climate Grants

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend