Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the government to increase restrictions amid the coronavirus spread by shutting down subways in large cities and public transportation between cities, banning gatherings of more than 10 people, and closing restaurants, shopping malls and gyms.
“China’s experience shows that unpopular and harsh measures overcome the virus and save lives,” Zelensky said in an address published on March 16. “The experience of other countries shows that spinelessness and liberalism are allies of the coronavirus, so we will act harshly, urgently, perhaps unpopular, but for the sake of one thing, the life and health of Ukrainians.”
The Cabinet of Ministers will meet later in the evening to consider the steps suggested by the president.
Ukraine has detected five cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The coronavirus has been registered in 175,800 people and killed 6,700 people worldwide.
After shutting down educational institutions and mass events on March 11, several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, intensified restrictions in the urge of stopping the spread of the infection by closing eateries, gyms, beauty service and entertainment establishments.
Zelensky proposed authorizing these measures throughout the whole country starting from March 17.
He also suggested shutting subways in large cities and public transportation between cities and oblasts, including trains, buses and planes, starting from 12 p.m. on March 18.
Public transport will continue to work but with limitations: mini-buses, known as marshrutkas, can transport no more than 10 people at the same time, while buses, trolley-buses and trams can transport up to 20 people at a time. Taxis will also continue to operate.
Zelensky said that all the mass gatherings involving more than 10 people should now be banned, emphasizing that all churches in Ukraine should follow the measure and cancel rites.
According to the president’s plan, the state of emergency should be established in two oblasts that have confirmed cases, Zhytomyr and Chernivtsi, starting from March 17.
Apart from that, Zelensky said that the Ministry of Finance should hold negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and other international partners about possible financial aid for fighting the coronavirus.
He asked the finance ministry, as well as the National Bank of Ukraine, state and private banks, to draw out a plan for a “credit vacation” and tax exemption for small and medium businesses.
The president said that the Ukrainian citizens that receive less than an Hr 5,000 ($185) pension should receive an extra Hr 1,000 ($37) payment.
According to the plan, the Ministry of Health should put on hold all the planned surgeries and perform only the immediate ones. The ministry should set up the delivery of medicine to elderly people. The hospitals should prepare to treat infected people in severe conditions.
Zelensky said that the local authorities should “ensure uninterrupted operation” of grocery and household stores, pharmacies, gas stations and banks. All municipal enterprises and state institutions should continue working without changes, he said.
The president recommended to all residents, especially elderly people, to stay at home as much as possible with the exception of leaving home to buy groceries.
CORONAVIRUS IN UKRAINE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Kyiv intensifies quarantine, shutting down everything by supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, gas stations
- There have been five confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine. The first case was identified in Ukraine on March 3.
- One person died from the COVID-19 in Ukraine.
- Ukraine shut schools and canceled mass events starting March 12 to prevent the disease’s spread. Some schools resisted.
- Here’s how Kyiv is affected.
- Doctor’s advice: How to stay safe.
- Ukrainians evacuated from the disease’s epicenter in Wuhan, China spent two weeks in quarantine in a sanatorium in Poltava Oblast and were released on March 5. Their arrival in Ukraine caused unrest.
Effects on economy:
- Here’s what the virus is doing to Ukraine’s economy.
- Ukrainian businesses respond to the crisis.
- The virus disrupts the transport sector. Ukrainian airlines canceled some flights to 16 countries due to the novel coronavirus.
- The National Bank of Ukraine continued to cut the policy rate while trying to buffer the hryvnia from coronavirus panic.
