Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed various unconventional emergency social measures to support families and businesses amid the global coronavirus outbreak, such as a week-long holiday for workers and higher taxes on dividends, Reuters reported.

“Russia’s economy, like that of other countries, is under strong negative pressure because of the consequences of the epidemic,” Putin said.

“It is now crucial to prevent the threat of the disease spreading rapidly. Therefore I declare next week a non-working week with pay.”

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