The introduction of stricter quarantine measures is out of question now. At the same time, the Government is preparing for all possible scenarios, including the possible introduction of quarantine during the winter holidays. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced during a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on November 25.

"We understand that late December till early January is the period of New Year's holidays. These are meetings, fairs, close contacts between people. And all those can give a significant impetus to the outbreak of the disease, which the medical system may not withstand. The Government does not hide and says openly that we are developing a plan to respond to the deterioration of the situation," said the Prime Minister, adding that the Government's steps should be clear and predictable for people and businesses.

The Head of Government reminded that restrictions applied for the orange zone and weekend quarantine are in effect in Ukraine. He stressed that the final effectiveness and results of such a model can be assessed in early December.

"We are already recording a decrease in population mobility. According to mobile operators, due to the introduction of weekend quarantine, population mobility has fallen to its lowest level since the strict quarantine in the spring. Decreased mobility of people means mitigating the risk of infection, and accordingly, the chain of infection is broken," stressed Denys Shmyhal.

According to the Prime Minister, the result of all these measures should be reaching the plateau by the number of patients in early December. "We can already see a certain decrease both in the number of occupied beds and the number of patients," the PM urged.

The Prime Minister added the Government is working closely with local authorities, city heads and business to develop an optimal model of anti-epidemic measures.

"Last week, the Government sent a survey to all mayors as to which anti-epidemic restrictions they consider most appropriate and optimal. We already have the opinion of the heads of regional state administrations. Now we are waiting for the position of city heads," stressed Denys Shmyhal.