Russia hits record with nearly 22,000 new infections

By Dmitri Chirciu

MOSCOW (AA) – Russia reported 21,983 new coronavirus cases on Friday, its highest single-day figure since the start of the pandemic.

The country’s caseload is now over 1.88 million, while 441 more fatalities raised the death toll to 32,443, according to the emergency task force.

Recoveries increased by 18,735 over the past day to move over 1.4 million.

Russia introduced new measures two weeks ago to stem the virus’ spread, making face masks mandatory in public areas and transport, as well as imposing time restrictions for cafes, bars, and restaurants across the country.

Exempt from the measures until now, Moscow will join the rest of Russia starting Friday, after the capital’s mayor conceded that existing measures were “becoming insufficient” in light of the “critical growth” in infections.

Cafes, bars, and restaurants in the capital are now prohibited to serve customers between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. until at least Jan. 15, 2021.

Heightened checks and restrictions have also been introduced at sports and entertainment venues, while all academic activities have been shifted online.

* Writing by Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak in Ankara