Cabinet raises COVID-related travel and gathering restrictions

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine unanimously passed
tightened COVID-19 related restrictions, including a 30-day closure of the
country’s border to most foreigners, PM Denis Shmyhal announced on Aug. 26. A
list of exceptions, including foreigners with Ukrainian residency, is to be
posted on Aug. 27, he noted. Other measures include the closure of most
entertainment venues, even in government-designated green zones. The domestic
measures are in force until Oct. 31.

On Aug. 27, Kyiv mayor Vitaliy Klitschko announced
that 220 new cases of COVID-19 had been registered in the capital, and that of
those, 63 persons had been hospitalized. This sets a new one-day record for
Kyiv since the beginning of the pandemic.

James Hydzik: The Cabinet’s move is surprising due to the lack of warning. Even 24
hours previously, the government had been discussing travel restrictions for
foreigners from countries with higher rates of COVID-19 infection than Ukraine. The exact impetus for the further restriction is
unclear. The closure does not prevent Ukrainians from traveling, though it does
certainly impact commercial travel into Ukraine just as the autumn business
season was gearing up.