The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has allowed restaurants and cafes to work until 7 a.m on Jan. 1, 2021, according to a decree published on Dec. 23.
Previously, the government planned to only allow eateries to operate until 1 a. m.
“At the same time, I would like to emphasize that the restriction has been lifted only regarding the working hours of restaurants. All other requirements for the stay of visitors in restaurants and cafes remain in force,” Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook.
Amid the pandemic, restaurants and cafes must follow several rules. The staff needs to wear masks covering both the nose and mouth. Visitors must do the same while moving around. Up to four adults can sit at one table. Eateries must be closed by 10 p. m.
The change in New Year’s Eve restrictions comes as Ukraine prepares for a strict lockdown after the holiday season.
Until then, the government has encouraged people to celebrate the holidays, albeit within reason and cautiously.
Ukraine’s chief sanitary doctor, Deputy Health Minister Viktor Lyashko, said that the government could have imposed strict restrictions on winter holidays, but that would cause significant public resistance.
“Celebrate, but everything should be in moderation, and after that we should close down in order to prepare for a possible increase in the incidence of influenza and respiratory infections, which may include the coronavirus,” Lyashko told Radio Novoye Vremya.
The government will impose a full lockdown starting on Jan. 8 and lasting through Jan. 24 to curb the spread of COVID-19. Restrictions will include the temporary closure of restaurants, non-grocery stores, cultural establishments, sports facilities, shopping malls, hostels, schools and universities.
Stepanov has said that the government should impose the full lockdown to prepare for the coming seasonal peak in flu infections at the end of January and the beginning of February. Symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 are similar, and the combination of flu season and the COVID-19 pandemic may place a significant burden on the already stressed medical system.
