Government introduced an intensified quarantine from January 8 to 24

Stricter quarantine restrictions will be introduced in Ukraine from January 8 to 24, 2021, inclusive.

During an extraordinary meeting on December 9, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution "On the introduction of quarantine in order to prevent the spread of acute respiratory disease COVID-19 in Ukraine."

According to the document, intensified anti-epidemic measures will be introduced on the territory of Ukraine from January 8 to 24, 2021. According to the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, this decision was made by the Government as a result of discussions with business representatives, local authorities and epidemiologists.

Denys Shmyhal stressed that the Government wants citizens and businesses to understand the logic of decision-making regarding any restrictions. Therefore, numerous discussions were held to develop a consolidated position and support the Government's decisions.

"Intensified measures are being taken to prevent a new powerful wave of morbidity, which may occur in particular after the New Year holidays. That is, tighter quarantine restrictions will be imposed in order to break the chain of morbidity that may occur during the holidays," said the Prime Minister.

According to the approved document, from January 8 to 24, 2021, cafes, restaurants, bars (except for delivery and takeaway orders), cinemas, fitness clubs, gyms, swimming pools, theaters, as well as shopping malls will be banned (apart from trade in food, medicines, veterinary drugs, personal hygiene products and household chemicals). During the period of severe quarantine, it will be prohibited to visit educational institutions, trade in non-food products, hold any entertainment, sports or cultural events.

At that, according to the Prime Minister, public transport will continue to operate, "so that people can go to work at those enterprises that will operate during the period of increased quarantine." There will also be allowed the operation of grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, postal operators, hotels.

In addition, during a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, Denys Shmyhal stressed that the Government is engaged in a vigorous dialogue with European partners to ensure Ukraine receive a batch of vaccine against COVID-19 as soon as possible.

The Head of Government reminded that in talks with the EU High Representative, Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, they discussed the establishment of a dialogue between Ukrainian and European companies and associations in order to accelerate Ukraine's integration into production and supply chains.

The Prime Minister also noted that the Ministry of Health had already submitted the first part of the application for vaccines under the COVAX initiative the previous week.

"After processing a number of requirements, the preconditions were formed for receiving 8 million doses of vaccines for 4 million Ukrainians. In particular, with the active involvement of the Public Health Center and experts, the criteria for determining the priority groups of people who will primarily receive vaccines from COVID-19 were formed, as well as data on the logistical capacity for storage and transportation of vaccines," he stressed.

Denys Shmyhal added that the second part of the application to COVAX will be submitted on December 14, 2020.