Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub-Editor:  Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

Newsflash/@herr_pupkin_2018

This is the Orwellian moment trucks drive around the streets of Moscow warning residents they are on a lockdown as of today to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Despite closing its border with China at the end of January and experiencing relatively low COVID-19 cases, Russia has implemented a number of measures in the last week to prevent the spread of the virus.

On 25th March, President Putin, 67, announced this will be a non-working week, but fell short of ordering a nationwide lockdown.

However, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced a full lockdown in the capital city which began on 30th March.

Newsflash/@herr_pupkin_2018

Moscow residents are only allowed to leave their homes for essential items such as food and medical supplies or to walk a dog, similar to many European countries.

Moscow has experienced the most cases in Russia and residents have been asked to stay indoors until at least 5th April.

In order to remind citizens about the new measurements, the authorities deployed sound trucks to drive around the city streets.

The loudspeaker announcements told residents to stay indoors unless for essential matters and to always maintain a two-metre distance from others.

The same applies to youngsters, with parents being asked to not allow their children outside unless absolutely necessary.

According to Russian media, 46 percent of COVID-19 cases involved patients between the ages of 35 and 64. Those aged between 18 and 34 make up 33 percent while OAPs above 65 make up 15 percent. The remaining six percent was not mentioned.

As of 30th March, Russia has reported 1,836 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nine related deaths, according to the latest data from the Johns Hopkins University.

Meanwhile, 66 people have made full recoveries.

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