Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to make May 4th – Friday May 7th 2021 non-working days and extend the public holiday period at the beginning of May due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The measure was billed as a way to “preserve the downward trend in the number of coronavirus infections and promote health of Russian citizens,” according to a Kremlin statement.
The holidays are bookended by public holidays for the May Day Holiday on May 3rd and the Victory Day Holiday on May 10th, creating a 10-day break.
President Putin was backing a proposal by the head of Russia’s health watchdog was asked Putin to introduce a non-working period over May 1st – 11th to prevent a surge in coronavirus infections.
“If you think that it’s necessary, let’s do it. Today I’ll sign the relevant decree,” Putin said in a televised meeting in response to a proposal from the head of Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova.
Before the announcement May 4th – 7th were supposed to be regular work days.
