Prime Minister: Decisions of the Government are enforceable for all business entities on the territory of Ukraine

On Friday, November 13, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held a conference call with the heads of regions on the situation with the spread of COVID-19 in Ukraine. The heads of ministries and staff of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine were also present.

The meeting’s participants raised the issue of the supply of hospitals with oxygen, as well as updated anti-epidemic measures.

The Prime Minister informed the heads of regional state administrations (RSA) that amendments to Resolution 641 concerning the intensification of anti-epidemic measures throughout Ukraine and the introduction of weekend quarantine came into force starting November 13.

Denys Shmyhal noted that according to the decision of the Government, during the weekend the institutions identified in the list should be closed or should not receive visitors. He also stressed that city heads do not have the authority to make exceptions for objects included in the list of the Resolution.

"City heads do not have the authority to allow or ban the effect of Government’s decisions on the territory of each particular territorial unit. The decisions of the Government are unconditional and are enforceable by all business entities located on the territory of Ukraine. Weekend quarantine applies to an exclusively defined list of business entities that operate on the territory of Ukraine. If it is, for example, a shopping mall, then it should be closed during the weekend," said the Prime Minister.

Denys Shmyhal stressed that the RSA heads should coordinate the work of the local police and the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection to inspect business entities that should not receive visitors on weekends.

Interior Minister Arsen Avakov informed the Prime Minister that negotiations had taken place with large retail chains, and all market participants had assured the members of executive authorities that they would work in accordance with the law. In addition, Arsen Avakov noted that employees of the National Police will be on duty near large shopping malls.

As a result of the meeting, the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection together with the National Police was instructed to carry out inspections for compliance with anti-epidemic measures in small shops and food markets.