Ukraine considers extending quarantine until May 12, easing some restrictions

Ukraine’s government may extend the coronavirus quarantine until May 12, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said during a morning briefing on April 21.

Despite the extension, some restrictions will be lifted, including the ban on visiting parks, museums and libraries, he said.

According to Stepanov, these activities will be strictly regulated and the number of people allowed in public places will be limited. Visitors will be required to wear protective masks and undergo temperature screenings at the entrance, the minister said.

Earlier on April 20, Ukraine’s chief sanitary doctor, Viktor Lyashko, also said Ukraine intended to prolong the quarantine but ease some restrictions after April 27, if the situation improved.

According to data from the National Academy of Sciences, Ukraine is expected to experience two peaks of COVID-19 infections, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal announced on April 20

“Tentatively, they will be late in April and between May 3 and May 8,” Shmygal said.

Earlier this month, Shmygal presented a draft strategy for bringing the country out of the quarantine.

According to the preliminary plan, Ukraine will start “going back to work” early in May.

Currently, Ukraine is following the “optimistic scenario” for its battle with the COVID-19 pandemic. It foresees no more than 2% of the population becoming infected with the coronavirus during the outbreak, Deputy Health Minister Lyashko has said.

If the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow, Ukraine’s medical system will not be able to provide medical treatment for all citizens, he said on April 17.

According to Lyashko, the Cabinet of Ministers will decide whether to extend the quarantine by the end of this week, likely on Wednesday, April 22.