Ukraine Extends Quarantine to May 22

Ukrainian authorities have stated that the coronavirus-induced quarantine in the country will continue until May 22. But, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal added that a gradual weakening would be introduced.

During a meeting of the government, Shmyhal stated that “we’ll be looking how the pandemic moves in the world, and how the incidence curve of infected will fluctuate for us.”

However, not all of Ukraine may have their quarantine restrictions weakened, with Health Minister Maksym Stepanov stating that regions with a high number of coronavirus patients will instead enter an “adaptive quarantine” – meaning that different regions may actually see a strengthening of quarantine measures.

“We want to present the criteria for the ‘adaptive quarantine’. We have a few regions – Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, where there is a very high level of illness. We cannot let ourselves weaken the restrictions there as in other regions, and believe that we need to implement an adaptive quarantine mechanism. If, somewhere we’re opening most of the centers of trade, then somewhere – it’ll be less [than that.],” explained the minister.

The capital Kyiv may also call into these criteria, with the PM saying that experts are examining the situation in a number of regions, including Kyiv and the surrounding region.

In the areas that will see a weakening of quarantine restrictions on May 11, when the first phase is projected to begin, parks, squares, recreational zones, beauty salons, hairstylists, outdoor seating for cafes and restaurants will all be opened or permitted to function. Museums, libraries, dentists officers, lawyers, and cleaning services will also be allowed to return to work.

For all the latest updates on the coronavirus in Ukraine, follow this link.