Vladimir Putin instructed to prepare phased exit from lockdown since May 12

Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with regional leaders on the situation with the coronavirus, announced the extension of the weekend and self-isolation regime until May 11 (May 6,7,8 will also be non-working days in addition to the traditional May Holidays) and instructed the Government and Rospotrebnadzor to prepare by May 5 a phased plan of lifting quarantine from May 12.

"We need a new plan to support the economy and residents of Russia, as well as a large-scale action plan to restore citizens' incomes and economic growth," the Russian president said.

He noted that we "managed to slow down the epidemic spread, but the situation remains difficult. The peak of the disease has not yet been passed. We are facing the most intense stage of the fight, the threat persists, and this can affect everyone".

The head of state instructed the Ministry of Health to conduct continuous monitoring throughout the country and in the regions. "We must be proactive, be prepared for any scenarios", said Vladimir Putin.