The information to this effect was published on governmental portal. The decision practically coincided with the World Health Organization having announced the pandemic of the new Chinese coronavirus in the world.
Quarantine has been announced all over Ukraine to contain the spread of the disease. Preventive emergency measures will be in effect for three weeks from March 12 to April 3. All kindergartens, schools and universities will be closed for quarantine. So, Ukrainian schoolchildren and students will have enforced holidays. If need be, the term of quarantine will be extended. Everything will depend on the epidemiological situation in the country.
It is prohibited to hold mass activities with participation of 200 or more people. The exception may be only “events of State importance”. Sports competitions are allowed with the permission of international sports organizations but without spectators. Out of 219 checkpoints that are stationed along Ukrainian border, only 49 will continue working. Besides, Ukraine has closed flights from Italy where the virus disease is rampant. The Government does not rule out the closure of public transport to minimize travelling of citizens within the country in case of the spread of the virus.
The Government has allocated 100 million hryvnas for purchasing personal safety means like face masks, test systems for coronavirus diagnosis and other important materials to meet everyday needs of ministries, departments and services as well as to replenish the State reserves of medical supplies. The Government has also resolved to ban exports of antivirus means till June 1 in order to fully provide Ukrainian population with all necessary means of protection.
A number of preventive measures have been announced in the city of Kyiv to control the possible spread of the coronavirus among Kyivites. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klychko said that the city’s secondary schools, colleges, universities, art and sports schools would be closed till the end of March. The holding of cultural activities and other events that involve a large number of people are also banned in the city., “We mean the holding of concerts, conferences, film shows and other cultural programs. Entertainment facilities and centers at shopping malls will be closed too”, the Mayor said.
On March 12, the Center of Public Health of Ukraine recorded 43 suspected cases of COVID-19. One case has been confirmed. It is a man who has recently returned to Ukraine from Italy with his wife.
In the photo: passengers at Boryspil Airport having their temperature taken.
The newspaper Holos Ukrainy
