The Russian government ordered all cafes and restaurants to be closed from March 28 to April 5 to prevent nCoV from spreading.

Under the decree issued by the Russian government today, "public catering services" across the country will cease operations, except for delivery. The decree also requires local governments to suspend resorts' operations until June, and recommends that Russians restrict travel.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on March 25 that people would take paid leave from March 28 to April 5. "It is very important now to prevent the disease from spreading quickly. It is impossible to completely stop nCoV because the country has a large area. The safest measure is at home," he said.

Russia also delayed the referendum on constitutional amendments until Covid-19 was controlled. The government also pledges to provide financial assistance to those affected by the pandemic, such as subsidies for families with small children, tax breaks for small and medium enterprises.

Russian airlines are required to suspend all international routes from tonight, except for special flights to evacuate Russian citizens from abroad. Russian airspace has been frozen since today and there is no schedule to reopen.

Russia's moves came amid a recent spike in the number of nCoV infections in the country, reaching 840 cases with two deaths. After starting from China in December last year, the pandemic now appears in nearly 200 countries and territories, leaving more than 500,000 infected, more than 24,000 dead.