Government Plans Grants for 'COVID-Free' Regions

The government is discussing the emergence of a coronavirus-free status for the region, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said at a government meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Her words are quoted by the Kremlin website.

Golikova said that the day before, the government held a meeting with representatives of the country's constituent entities. it discussed solutions that could simultaneously protect Russians from covid-19 and guarantee the normal operation of the economy without the introduction of strict quarantine measures.

Among them is the ability to assign the status of “territory free from COVID-19” to regions. “[The measure will be associated] with the subsequent stimulation of the regions, the provision of grants that will be used to solve regional problems at the suggestion of the population,” Golikova said.

The government discussed other measures, the vice-premier added. According to her, one of them is the introduction of restrictive measures in certain municipalities, and the authorities will have to provide small and medium-sized businesses, as well as socially oriented non-profit organizations with assistance from the federal budget.