Moscow businesses reopen their doors amid virus slump

Moscow's streets were getting busier on Wednesday (June 3) - as Russia partially lifted coronavirus restrictions, allowing some non-food stores to open.

Devotees of flatpack furniture returned in their droves to this Ikea store on the outskirts of Moscow.

Cafes and restaurants are still only open for takeaways and deliveries.

But some, like this McDonald's, are prepaing for a fuller re-opening at some point in future.

With stickers on the floor and tables to show how customers must socially distance.

The lockdown in Russia has cost the economy jobs and triggered the deepest contraction since 2009.

The country has earmarked 5 trillion roubles - that's 73 billion dollars - to jump-start its economy through to the end of next year.

In April, the first full month of a nationwide lockdown, joblessness jumped to 5.8% and GDP contracted by 12%.

Despite the hard times now, one souvenir shop owner said there is still hope for the future.

"I think Russian people are very patient, despite such enormous difficulties. There is still some hope that business, which has suffered very seriously, will gradually recover. But it's hard to say how quickly."

Russia reported 8,536 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday.

This brings its nationwide tally to 432,277 - the third highest in the world.