Ukraine's Cabinet Suspends Subway, Interregional Transport Operation

The Ukrainian government has decided to suspend the operation of subways, as well as air, rail and bus connections between cities and regions of Ukraine to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

This was announced by Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Krykliy via his Telegram channel.

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To summarize, at a Cabinet meeting it was ruled that:

• from 12 p.m. on March 18, intercity and interregional road, rail and air services cease;
• city shuttles ("marshrutka") and taxis will operate, but can accommodate no more than 10 people; trolleybuses, buses and trams may carry up to 20 passengers;
• subway operations (in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro) will be stopped from March 17;
• no restrictions will be imposed on the movement of private cars.

The government decree also states that Ukrzaliznytsya may operate separate passenger routes on the inland rail link, but the decision on this must be agreed with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Health on a case-by-case basis. In the case of an international route -- with the permission of the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Border Service.

All of these restrictions will be in effect until April 3.