Putin pleads with Russians to get vaccinated

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered a week’s paid leave from October 30 to November 7 in a bid to stem the deadly pandemic wave of COVID-19 in Russia.

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“Of course, I support the proposal to declare the period from October 30 to November 7 as a working break,” Mr. Putin said.

The week of October 30 to November 7 coincides with the Russian school holidays, and was only open on November 1, 2 and 3 due to weekends and public holidays.

He also pleaded with the Russians, very rebellious, to be vaccinated.

He said, “Please be responsible, there are only two ways out of this time (epidemic): either by disease or by vaccination.” He described Russia’s low vaccination rate as “dangerous”.

Mr. Putin also called for expediting the examination and strengthening the isolation procedures for cases of contacts.

The Russian president also gave the regions the possibility to start early or extend the holiday week if the epidemiological situation calls for it.

Russia has been facing an epidemic wave since June due to the delta variant which has worsened dramatically for a month on the back of slow vaccination, non-existent health restrictions and distancing measures and scanty or disrespectful mask-wearing.