Vladimir Putin dramatically cancelled a face-to-face meeting with his ministers today amid speculation that he contracted coronavirus.
The Russian President is believed to have “disappeared” following a meeting with Russia’s top coronavirus doctor, who has been confirmed positive for Covid-19.
The 67-year-old spokesman said that Putin’s session with ministers, which had been scheduled at his official residence, would now be held remotely.
Reports say Putin has not been seen in public since last week while old footage has been allegedly broadcast on state-run TV to mask the absence of the “invisible” president.
Eight days ago Putin met leading medic Denis Protsenko, 44, head of Moscow’s main coronavirus hospital, Kommunarka.
Yesterday it was confirmed Protsenko had contracted coronavirus and is undergoing treatment at his own hospital.
Putin shook hands with him twice and did not social distance with him or other medics during his visit.
Today his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin leader had now stopped shaking hands and dramatically changed his routine.
"Now everyone is keeping a social distance. Everyone is doing it,” he said.
He also revealed that those Putin was in contact with during his hospital visit are undergoing daily tests for coronavirus.
"Everyone who was with the president at Kommunarka is being tested for coronavirus daily, including (me),” he said.
"Naturally, we are taking precautionary measures, we are ruling out some meetings, we are trying to do this [hold meetings] remotely as much as possible.”
He said: ”These days, the president prefers to do everything remotely, online….
“This remote format will be used as widely as possible in the work of the president."
Putin was using "protected communications channels”, he said.
"On the president’s behalf I can say this. The president prefers to do everything in the distance mode online. Encrypted communication channels are used for these teleconferences," Peskov added.
"Such technical and technological opportunities do exist.
"Everybody can see the president use distance work procedures.
“We all saw him participate in the video summit of the G20 (last week).
“These days distance work will be used by the president to the maximum extent.”
Yesterday Peskov said “everything is okay” with Putin who was regularly tested for coronavirus but today did not specifically comment on his health.
