Putin self-isolates as Covid strikes his inner circle
MOSCOW/CANBERRA: Russian President Vladimir Putin has gone into self-isolation because of coronavirus cases in his inner circle, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, adding that he has tested negative for Covid-19.
The announcement came in the Kremlin’s readout of Putin’s phone call with Tajikistan’s president. Putin has been fully vaccinated with the Russian vaccine Sputnik V, receiving his second shot in April.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin is “absolutely healthy”. He didn’t clarify for how long Putin would remain in self-isolation, but assured that the president will continue working as usual.
Asked if Putin tested negative for the virus, Peskov said “definitely, yes”.
On Monday, the Russian president attended several public events. He greeted Russian Paralympians, attended military
exercises conducted in coordination with Belarus, and met with Syrian President Bashar Assad.
During the meeting with the Paralympians, Putin mentioned that he “may have to quarantine soon”. “Even in my circle problems occur with this Covid,” the Russian leader was quoted by the state RIA Novosti news agency as saying. “We need to look into what’s really happening there. I think I may have to quarantine soon myself. A lot of people around [me] are sick.”
Australia’s capital city extends lockdown
Australia’s capital city of Canberra will remain locked down for a second month after the local government reported 22 new coronavirus infections.
The Australian Capital Territory locked down on August 12 after a single case linked to a Sydney outbreak of the virus’ Delta variant was detected.
Territorial chief minister Andrew Barr said that Canberra’s lockdown will be extended until October 15.
In Pakistan, planning minister Asad Umar has warned that people who are not vaccinated will not be allowed to work from offices after this month.