Amid mounting fears over a potential Corona virus outbreak across the world, authorities in Russia decided to cancel the St. Petersburg World Economic Forum which was due to take place next June.
Andrei Belusov, deputy Prime Minister, was quoted today by the Interfax news agency as saying that Russia will cancel the annual St. Petersburg World Economic Forum this year as a precautionary measure against the Corona virus.
The forum, which is usually chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, was scheduled to be held in St. Petersburg from June 3-6.
On another hand, and as the worldwide death toll now stands above 3,000 the Russian Ministry of Trade has temporarily prohibited the export of certain items, such as masks and protective suits, as the country seeks to keep the infection contained.
The ban, detailed on the website of the cabinet of ministers, covers a wide range of medical equipment ranging from bandages, to shoe covers, to disinfectant. The new rules will not affect supplies crossing the border for personal use or humanitarian aid, and will last until June 1. It comes on the same day that Germany introduced similar measures.
Meanwhile, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin isn’t immune to coronavirus fears. His spokesman has revealed that the Kremlin is taking extra steps to protect the president from corona virus, lest the nation’s first citizen be struck down by the ailment.
“Everything that is necessary to prevent the coronavirus from entering the president’s proximity is being done.” Dmitry Peskov said, “In fact, the [measures we are taking] are ordinary preventive hygiene measures that can be taken by all citizens of Russia.”
Russia has so far avoided a national epidemic, and stringent measures have been put in place to control any possible spread of the virus.
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