Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov thinks Ukraine should stay under quarantine until May 12, 18 days beyond the April 24 date in which the current restrictions on movement and businesses are set to expire.
“We first extended it (the quarantine) by April 24, but will reconsider this soon. I think we should be quarantined for at least two months like in Europe” Avakov said on March 30. Relatively soft restrictions started on March 12 in Ukraine but were tightened on March 27.
While Avakov doesn’t have the authority to decide the issue along, the nations top cop wields significant power and influence.
Despite the national lockdown and the suspension of all international flights, bus and train traffic starting on March 27, Ukrainians are still able to return home by foot or by car through one of 89 land border checkpoints.
Since March 29, all citizens coming to the country will be placed in quarantine for 14 days.
As of March 31, there are 645 officially confirmed COVID-19 cases detected in Ukraine, while 17 people have died and 10 patients have recovered.
Overall, 2,642 people with suspected cases of COVID-19 infection have been tested in Ukraine.
There are 240 Ukrainian hospitals prepared to receive the first wave of patients, according to Ukraine’s Deputy Health Minister Viktor Lyashko.
The Health Ministry has also established 567 mobile groups in every region to collect lab-samples from the local laboratories.
CORONAVIRUS IN UKRAINE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- As of late March 31: 17 people have died from COVID-19 in Ukraine; 3 Ukrainians died in Italy. 10 people have recovered.
- 645 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of early on March 31. The first case was identified on March 3.
- Ukraine has extended its quarantine measures until April 24.
- Infographic of quarantine measures in place until April 24.
- The measures shuttered most everything but hospitals, supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, gas stations, and other critical enterprises.
- How the Ukrainian government has been responding: TIMELINE
- Misinformation on coronavirus is going viral in Ukraine.
- Doctor’s advice: How to stay safe.
- Foreign Ministry: What you need to know about traveling to and from Ukraine now
- Why the Kyiv Post isn’t making its coverage free in the times of COVID-19.
- Coronavirus stops the Kyiv Post’s print edition for now.
- Where to buy masks.
Effects on the economy:
- COVID-19 is already inflicting harm on Ukraine’s economy.
- Invisible Threat Lurks Undetected: Top stories from March 27, 2020 PDF edition.
- The former minister of economy says half a million Ukrainians may lose their jobs in the COVID-19 crisis.
