Two-thirds of Russian regions weaken measures against COVID-19

As of April 9, 56 of Russia’s more than 80 regions had decreased the severity of the measures they are taking to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, TASS reported.

Most regions did so by expanding the kinds of businesses that are permitted to operate during the national non-working days ordered by Vladimir Putin to extend through April 30.

For example, in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, beauty salons, car washes, tire shops, and law firms will be permitted to open, Interfax reported.

Many regions have also relaxed their restrictions on citizens’ movements, weakening self-isolation measures.

The changes come after an initial non-working week followed by a new address from Vladimir Putin in which the Russian president urged the nation to push toward a “normal work schedule” while keeping some self-isolation measures in place.