Putin says Russia does not plan to impose national lockdown to combat COVID-19

FILE PHOTO: Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with leaders of State Duma factions, via a video conference call at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia October 6, 2020. Sputnik/Alexei Druzhinin/Kremlin via REUTERS

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia did not plan to impose blanket restrictions or a national lockdown to curb the surge in coronavirus cases.

Speaking at an investor forum, he said that Russia would impose targeted measures in response to the pandemic if needed.

(Reporting by Darya Korsunskaya; writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Jon Boyle)