The first sum worth UAH 200 million was transferred to pay the state aid to individual entrepreneurs and employees who have suffered from intensified restrictions in the red quarantine zones.

This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a regular meeting of the Government on April 28.

"As of now, more than 300,000 applications for state aid in the amount of 8,000 hryvnias have been submitted and satisfied. And already the first resource worth 200 million hryvnias was transferred. I would like to assure everyone that the Government, together with the Verkhovna Rada, has begun work on allocating additional funds to finance 100% of all registered applicants as well as those who are going to register," the Prime Minister said.

Denys Shmyhal stressed that all payments will be made in full.

The Head of Government also reminded that last week three regions had withdrawn from the red quarantine zone simultaneously: Chernivtsi, Lviv and Odesa. In all regions, according to him, there is a decrease in the number of new cases of diseases and hospitalizations. At the same time, several more regions will be able to ease quarantine restrictions in the near future.

"But we must not forget: the May holidays can lead to a new wave of infection. And it only depends on all of us whether it will happen or not. The Government has promised not to introduce strict quarantine for Easter and May holidays. We will not intensify quarantine measures, but we will strengthen control to monitor compliance with the restrictions that have been set. First of all, we are talking about social distancing and the mask regime," Denys Shmyhal emphasized.

The Prime Minister reiterated his call for adherence to anti-epidemic norms and listening to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, leaders of churches and religious organizations urging to celebrate Easter at home.