Parks are closing throughout the country however numerous Russians are not sure what all the fuss has to do with.
Russia is starting what Vladimir Putin called a “non-working week”, to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The federal government is prompting individuals to remain at home, though blended messaging has left many Russians puzzled.
Officials now hint the new constraints might be extended beyond 5 April, depending upon the health scenario.
The number of Russians contaminated with Covid-19 passed 1,000 on Friday, with the majority of cases found in Moscow.
Based on that figure, the Kremlin spokesperson has worried that there is “de facto no epidemic” here, comparing Russia’s position favourably with the crisis in Europe.
And whilst state TV’s rolling news channel has altered its name to We’re Staying Home – relaying from speakers’ living rooms – many people are struggling to change after its previous insistence that Covid-19 was a “foreign risk”.
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So when Mr Putin revealed a paid week off work for all, there was a rush to book vacations.
‘ Not a holiday’
The guv of Krasnodar region, which includes the Black Sea resort of Sochi, had to purchase the closure of all shopping centres, parks and dining establishments – and limit flights – after hotel bookings sky-rocketed.
” This is not a week of extra leave or holiday,” discussed Benjamin Kondratiev on Instagram, clarifying the president’s speech. He included