The Covid-19 pandemic has worsened in 10 Russian regions despite a week-long nationwide workplace shutdown designed to curb a surge in infections, a senior Russian official said.

At least five out of 85 regions have decided to extend the “non-working days”, announced by President Vladimir Putin last month, into next week.

But most, including Moscow, will resume work next Monday, with some requiring shoppers or visitors to present a QR code on their mobile phones to prove they have been vaccinated or previously infected with the virus, Reuters reports.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said the situation had deteriorated in 10 regions, including Tatarstan and Chuvashia east of Moscow, as well as the Tuva and Krasnoyarsk regions of Siberia, in the past week.