Moscow (dpa) - Russia's capital and largest city, Moscow, is closing restaurants, malls, parks and other public places for nine days starting on Saturday in an effort to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the measures as "unprecedented" and "absolutely necessary to hinder the spread of the coronavirus," according to a statement published on his website on Thursday.

The city will still allow deliveries of food and other products, the statement said. Grocery stores and pharmacies were to remain open.

Russia has reported more than 800 cases of the new coronavirus, including two deaths. Sobyanin warned President Vladimir Putin this week that the actual number of cases is probably "significantly more" than reported.