As testing reveals more cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine, experts and officials have warned that the country’s hospitals are poorly funded, ill-equipped and are not ready. Staff and patients alike are vulnerable to the spreading infection, they say.
COVID‑19 is already inflicting harm on the Ukrainian economy, and the country has started to count the economic cost of the novel coronavirus – it’s not a pretty picture. Here is a comprehensive roundup of some of the economic effects so far.
Kyiv has intensified national restrictions over coronavirus, imposed until April 24. To enter grocery stores and pharmacies, Kyivans now often have to line up at their entrances first. We have a useful and informative graphic here.
Despite travel ban, flights still bring Ukrainians and foreigners back home. The two airlines still operating in the country are Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) and SkyUp.
Ukraine’s superficial tax cuts are not enough to tackle local economic challenges. The Ukrainian parliament has adopted legislation aimed at providing businesses with economic relief, but it has been criticized for not going far enough.
Russia is downplaying the threat of COVID-19 as it may jeapordize Putin’s plan to stay in power. Kremlin propagandists have portrayed Russia as an island of calm and stability in contrast with European neighbors.
Ukrainians don masks and adjust to new strictures in age of coronavirus (PHOTOS)
Ukrainians show how to have fun during quarantine (VIDEO)
Business News –
IMF head announces possible increase in program for Ukraine, conditional on banking and land market reform laws. The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva has said that negotiations with Ukrainian authorities about the new EFF program are going well.
Georgieva said: “This last week, very good progress has been made in the discussions with the Ukrainian authorities on the new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. Adoption of legislation to improve the bank resolution framework and on land reform would allow moving forward quickly with finalizing the parameters of the new arrangement, with larger access than previously envisaged.”
A positive IMF decision will also allow the government to receive macro-financial assistance from the EU (500 million euros) and a loan from the World Bank (up to $1 billion).
