UPDATE2: PM: Russian govt prepares 3rd package of economic support

(Adds details on Putin’s orders in last two paragraphs)

MOSCOW, Apr 27 (PRIME) -- The Russian government is preparing a third package of measures to support the economy, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Monday at a meeting with his deputies.

“The government is already preparing a third package of measures that will be aimed at restoring the normal rhythm of the economy. I ask the Economic Development Ministry to work out all the proposals and submit them to the government on April 30,” Mishustin said.

The government has allocated hundreds of billions of rubles for the second package of support measures that is already in force, he said.

“We continue to take proactive measures to curb the spread of the dangerous infection, protect people, support the most affected sectors and enterprises. The second package of support measures has begun to operate, and hundreds of billions of rubles have already been allocated for its implementation,” he said.

“It is important that these serious funds reach certain recipients as soon as possible: families with children, unemployed, small- and medium-sized enterprises. People do not need loud statements, but direct financial assistance,” Mishustin said.

Mishustin asked ministers and regional governors to personally monitor how quickly support measures are implemented and to report weekly.

He also said the government may consider a gradual abolishment of restrictions for work of enterprises as the situation with coronavirus improves.

“As the situation changes for the better, it will be necessary to consider a gradual abolishment of restrictions on the activities of individual organizations and individual entrepreneurs,” Mishustin said.

He ordered the Labor and Social Protection Ministry, the Economic Development Ministry, the Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare Oversight and the Healthcare Ministry to prepare relevant proposals until the end of the week.

He also said that a number of healthcare and cultural enterprises could be included in the list of systematically important enterprises.

Mishustin also ordered governors to keep additional social payments to medical staff amid the coronavirus outbreak despite the federal government assistance.

The government will allot around 2 billion rubles for medicine for people with rare diseases, he also said.

According to a statement on the Kremlin’s website, President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to develop until Thursday plans of action to support backbone sectors of the economy “amid a worsening situation with the spread of coronavirus” and to pay special attention to encourage import substitution programs.

Putin also ordered the government to provide additional 200 billion rubles of financial aid to the regions to support local people and companies.

(74.7163 rubles – U.S. $1)

End