The red-level quarantine in Kyiv will last at least a month and deaths from COVID-19 have not yet peaked in the capital, mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a statement.
According to the mayor, Kyiv’s hospitals are 70% filled and 80% of oxygen-supplied beds are occupied. While the city currently has enough oxygen supply, if the pandemic wave worsens, supply problems may arise, Klitschko said. According to the Health Ministry, 93.2% of those hospitalized with COVID-19 last week have not yet gotten any vaccine shots.
“If in two or three weeks, we see the number of cases declining, if we meet ‘orange’ zone criteria, the city’s emergency commission will decide whether to ease some restrictions,” the mayor said. “Unfortunately, today, there is no such trend.”
On Nov. 1, Kyiv saw 1,738 new cases and 60 deaths. The country totals were 19,455 new cases and 700 deaths. The incidence of COVID-19 in Ukraine is twice as high as the average in Europe, according to the Health Ministry.
The city entered the red quarantine zone on Nov. 1. Cinemas, theaters, shopping malls, non-food markets, gyms, swimming pools, cultural institutions and mass events must shut down unless all staff and participants are fully vaccinated.
Public transport is continuing to operate but will only can only use it if they have a negative PCR test or vaccination certificate. These documents will not be checked at the entrance but selectively by groups of law enforcement officers.
For cafes and restaurants to keep working, both the staff and customers must be fully vaccinated.
People will be able to prove their vaccination status by showing the recently-launched digital vaccination documents. The certificates come in the form of a QR code in the Diia mobile app. International vaccination credentials are also valid.
Minors will only be able to visit shopping malls with adults who have a negative PCR test result or proof of vaccination. Schools will return to distance learning but kindergartens will be open if all employees are vaccinated against COVID-19.
