He told officials that they need to “consider all scenarios for how the situation will develop, even the most complex and extraordinary”.

In the video conference, Putin called for measures to end shortages of protective equipment for doctors.

“I know there’s not always enough of that and of course here we need additional measures to get rid of all these shortages,” the president said.

He added that Russia would also bring in the defence ministry to help if necessary.

Russia has sent military planes with specialists and equipment to countries including Italy, China and the United States, gestures that have prompted criticism from some Russians over using crucial resources for geopolitical aims.

Russian scientists retract coronavirus genome sequence that set alarm bells ringing

As part of tightening virus measures, Moscow authorities began on Monday issuing digital permits to reduce violations of the coronavirus lockdown as Russia reported more than 2,500 new infections.

Officials said that more than 800,000 passes were issued to people planning to travel by car or public transport ahead of the system’s formal launch on Wednesday.

But they said that hackers targeted the mayor’s office website and applicants complained on social media they were not able to get a pass despite multiple attempts.

Moscow has been under lockdown since March 30, but is now struggling to cope with the influx of new patients and officials have said hospitals are approaching their limits.

Russia on Tuesday reported 2,774 new cases of the coronavirus, a record daily rise, bringing its overall nationwide tally to 21,102, the country’s coronavirus response centre said. It said 170 people in Russia diagnosed with the virus have now died, an overnight rise of 22

The actual numbers are believed to be much higher, however, since many with mild symptoms are not being tested.

The densely populated capital of more than 12 million residents has emerged as Russia’s epicentre of the contagion with more than 11,000 cases and dozens of deaths.

China tightens controls on Russia border as number of imported cases rise

Russia has become China’s largest source of imported cases, with a total of 409 infections originating in the country, and Chinese citizens should stay put and not return home, the state-owned Global Times said in an editorial.

“Russia is the latest example of a failure to control imported cases and can serve as a warning to others,” said the paper, which is run by the Communist Party’s People’s Daily.

“The Chinese people have watched Russia become a severely affected country … This should sound the alarm: China must strictly prevent the inflow of cases and avoid a second outbreak.”

China’s northeastern border province of Heilongjiang saw 79 new cases of imported coronavirus cases on Monday. All the new cases were Chinese citizens travelling back into the country from Russia, state media said on Tuesday. They formed the bulk of new cases on the Chinese mainland, which stood at 89.

At a meeting chaired by China’s Premier Li Keqiang on Monday, China’s coronavirus task force decided to deploy more health resources on its borders.

Chinese targeted in Russia raids as coronavirus fears spread

It said it would build hospitals and establish isolation points in border regions, and would also strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries.

However, officials on Monday acknowledged that China’s long border and its large number of country roads, paths, ferry crossings and mountain passes made it very difficult to control.

To ensure no infected people slip across the Russian-China border, China has put in stringent measures in Suifenhe a small city in Heilongjiang which shares a checkpoint with Russia.

Agence France-Presse and Reuters