Russian workers who refuse Covid-19 vaccinations in areas where they are compulsory could be forced to take unpaid leave, Labour Minister Anton Kotyakov has warned as infections spike and inoculation drives slow.

Kotyakov's comments come as Moscow and other cities introduce an array of curbs, including those for the Euro 2020 football tournament, reports AFP.

“If the health authorities in a region make vaccination mandatory for some categories of workers, an unvaccinated employee could be suspended,” Kotyakov said in comments posted Sunday to a state-run channel on the Telegram messaging app.

He added that the suspension would last as long as the decree for mandatory vaccination is in effect.

Russian capital Moscow has ordered mandatory vaccination for residents working in the service industry, saying some 60 per cent would have to be fully inoculated by August 15.