On social media, people have been claiming that Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has given orders to release tigers and lions to stop people from going outside their houses.

A picture of a lion roaming the streets is currently viral on the internet, claiming that President Putin has ordered the government to release around 800 streets in the streets of Russia to make sure that people remain inside their houses.

The news comes amidst the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected over 340,000 people.

After reverse searching the image on Google, we found out that the image was actually a lion on the streets in South Africa.

The image was originally taken in 2016.

Hence, the claim is fake and the news is not accredited.

A social media user said, “Russia unleashed more than 500 lions on its streets to ensure that people are staying indoors during this pandemic outbreak. Vladmir Putin released around 500 lions to make people stay indoors (sic).”

#Covid_19
Vladimir Putin has given Russians two options
You stay at home for 2 weeks or you go to jail for 5years
No middle ground
RUSSIA Vladimir Putin has Dropped 800 tigers and Lions all over the Country to push people to stay Home.. Stay Safe Everyone! pic.twitter.com/41KOjl8vNe

— Mohammad Ahmed (@MohammadAhmedDh) March 22, 2020

A social user said that people will be facing 5 year of jail time if they break the 15 day home quarantine rule that the Russian government has placed.

This news is also incorrect.