The President of Ukraine and the Government are working together to implement and promote steps to support people and business in case of tougher quarantine measures.

This was emphasized by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in his introductory speech at the sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on December 2.

In particular, the Head of Government noted that to support people who might lose incomes in case if quarantine measures are strengthened, one-time assistance of UAH 8,000 is provided.

"The program applies to both sole proprietors and citizens who work as employees. According to the calculations of the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture, 1.2 million Ukrainian citizens will be able to count on such assistance," the Prime Minister said.

Moreover, according to Denys Shmyhal, a program will be provided to save jobs: entrepreneurs who reduce the working time for employees during forced quarantine are offered to provide up to UAH 8 thousand for each such employee.

"Another support tool is a one-time compensation for USC (unified social contribution – ed.) for employees. According to the calculations of the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture, 120 thousand people will be able to count on such assistance. Among other programs are as follows: repayment of the tax debt for citizens who have a debt of up to UAH 3,000, and exemption of sole proprietors of the first group from paying the single tax and USC," the Head of Government emphasized.

Denys Shmyhal noted that the support tools can be used in case of the introduction of strict quarantine restrictions. According to him, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already submitted relevant initiatives to the Verkhovna Rada.

According to the Prime Minister, the Government is developing other programs in parallel, some of which are already in effect. In particular, financial assistance to self-employed persons with children aged under 10, and prolonging the programs providing assistance for temporary disability.

"The Government has made decisions that will provide compensation for workers' losses in case of illness or self-isolation. The program is also aimed at avoiding the practice when the employee keeps silent about contact with the patient, so as not to lose working hours and earnings," stressed Denys Shmyhal.

In addition, according to the Prime Minister, work is underway to simplify the available financial resources: apart from the planned expanding of the "5-7-9" program, the Government will launch an additional instrument of portfolio guarantees. "This is a program to the tune of UAH 5 billion when the state will guarantee 80% of the body of the loan to the bank," told Denys Shmyhal.