Russia overtook
China in the number of confirmed
Coronavirus cases on Monday, when its tally climbed above 87,000, as pressure rose on the government to consider easing lockdown restrictions for businesses to help shore up the rattled
economy.
Russia, the world's largest country by territory, has been on lockdown since President
Vladimir Putin announced the closure of most public spaces in late March.
Anna Popova, the head of Russia's safety watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, told state television on Monday that, in her view, restrictions should be in place until May 12.