Russia issues nationwide mask requirement

Russian authorities on Tuesday issued a nationwide mask requirement amid a rapid resurgence of the new coronavirus outbreak. Health authorities registered 16,550 new cases and 320 new deaths, the highest daily death toll since the beginning of the pandemic. Russia's public health agency ordered all Russians to wear masks in crowded public spaces, on public transport, in taxis, at parking lots and in elevators starting on Wednesday.

The agency also recommended regional authorities put a curfew on entertainment events, cafes, restaurants and bars from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Russia has the world's fourth largest tally of over 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases and it has reported more than 26,000 virus-related deaths.