Ukraine extends quarantine until April 24

The Ukrainian government on March 25 ordered the extension of quarantine measures in the entire country until April 24.

Ukraine imposed the quarantine on March 17 to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The measures were originally supposed to last until April 3.

The government also said Ukraine will go into an “emergency situation” regime. While different from a state of emergency, it still allows the government to undertake certain measures to tackle the pandemic like identifying who is infected and isolating them for treatment, disinfecting spaces, introducing enhanced policing, etc. However, this regime does not limit personal freedoms.

According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, these measures can be revised and prolonged further if needed.

A Kyiv Post source in the government, who wasn’t authorized to speak to the press, said on March 24 that the government was considering extending the quarantine until May 9.

The new quarantine period covers Orthodox Easter on April 19. However, it doesn’t extend to the May 1 and May 8 holidays and the traditional memorial day, when many Ukrainians head to cemeteries one week after Easter to commemorate their dead relatives.

On March 25, the government also launched a discount on utility bills during the quarantine. It amounts 300 hryvnias ($11) per one family and is valid only for the recipients of state subsidy. The Cabinet of Ministers has also simplified the procedure for receiving unemployment benefits for people who lost their jobs because of the quarantine.

During the Cabinet meeting, the ministers also decided to launch a financial aid for the Ukrainian hospitals and the medical programs they have. However, not every center will get this support. The Ministry of Health has not yet specified with hospitals will be granted with it.

According to the document passed by the government, the aid totals 3,2 billion hryvnias ($115 million).