The western Ukrainian region of Chernivtsi, bordering Moldova and Romania, has declared a state of emergency after confirmation there of two cases of the novel coronavirus.
Serhiy Osachuk, chair of the Chernivtsi Regional State Administration, announced the emergency measures in his region after medical staff confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 disease. The state of emergency comes into effect on Saturday, March 14.
The coronavirus pandemic has already claimed 5,443 lives globally, with nearly 147,000 confirmed cases, according to the latest official data, which also reports that 72,500 patients have recovered from the illness. Ukraine has three confirmed cases.
“As it is known, we have a second confirmed case of infection in our region. And now it’s not only the city of Chernivtsi, but also in one of the districts of our region. This prompts and gives us reason to introduce emergency in the Chernivtsi region tomorrow,” he said in a video message on his Facebook page, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.
Osachuk emphasized that the coronavirus infection spreads very quickly and is “imperceptible” and “invisible.” He called on all residents of the Chernivtsi region to stay at home as much as possible.
During the emergency regime in the region, all hypermarkets for construction goods, supermarkets, shopping centers and markets, except for grocery stores, will be closed. A nationwide quarantine until April 3 has already seen schools, cinemas and other entertainment venues close.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian state railway Ukrzaliznytsia has said that Ukraine will stop passenger railway connections with Poland amid precautionary measures over the pandemic. This was stated on the railway’s official Facebook page.
“In connection with the decision of the Government of the Republic of Poland on the temporary closure of international communications with other countries, passenger trains traffic to Poland will be suspended on Sunday midnight, March 15,” the statement says.
Last trains from and returning to Poland will leave for Ukraine on March 14: two Intercity trains from Przemysl and a night train from Warsaw.
On March 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation and gave Ukrainians three days to return home as the borders are shutting down. He also announced extra measures for the country, including more money and supplies for front-line healthcare workers.
CORONAVIRUS IN UKRAINE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- There have been five confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine. The first case was identified in Ukraine on March 3.
- One person died from the COVID-19 in Ukraine.
- Ukraine shut schools and canceled mass events starting March 12 to prevent the disease’s spread. Some schools resisted.
- Here’s how Kyiv is affected.
- Doctor’s advice: How to stay safe.
- Ukrainians evacuated from the disease’s epicenter in Wuhan, China spent two weeks in quarantine in a sanatorium in Poltava Oblast and were released on March 5. Their arrival in Ukraine caused unrest.
Effects on economy:
- Here’s what the virus is doing to Ukraine’s economy.
- Ukrainian businesses respond to the crisis.
- The virus disrupts the transport sector. Ukrainian airlines canceled some flights to 16 countries due to the novel coronavirus.
- The National Bank of Ukraine continued to cut the policy rate while trying to buffer the hryvnia from coronavirus panic.
