Russia closes restaurants nationwide to prevent spread of coronavirus

Russia on Friday said it would temporarily close restaurants nationwide for a nine-day period effect from Saturday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
According to the decree by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, restaurants will still be able to provide delivery services during the period.
Russia has reported more than 800 cases of coronavirus, predominantly in Moscow, which has seen at least two virus-related deaths.
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has warned that the actual number of cases is probably significantly more.
Russia had since prohibited regular international flights, and imposed strict quarantine measures for anyone entering the country and anyone who could have been exposed to someone infected with the virus.
The government, however, opted not to impose lockdown measures such as those seen in neighbouring China and some European countries, including Italy, Spain and France.
Earlier, Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, assured the public that Russia does not have a coronavirus epidemic.
“We still need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario,” Peskov said.