Russia marks another daily Covid deaths record

Moscow: Russia on Friday recorded another record of daily Coronavirus deaths as authorities hoped to stem contagion by keeping most people off work.

The government's Coronavirus task force reported 1,163 deaths in 24 hours, the largest daily number since the pandemic began.

The latest deaths brought the total toll to 236,220, by far the highest in Europe.

To contain the spread of infection, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a nonworking period from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7, when most state organisations and private businesses are to suspend operations.

He encouraged Russia's worst-hit regions to start sooner, and some ordered most residents off work earlier this week.

Moscow introduced the measure starting from Thursday, shutting kindergartens, schools, gyms, entertainment venues and most stores, and restricting restaurants and cafes to only takeout or delivery.

Food stores, pharmacies and companies operating key infrastructure remained open. Access to museums, theatres, concert halls and other venues is limited to people holding digital codes on their smartphones to prove they have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19, a practice that will remain in place after Nov. 7.