COVID-19 cases set latest record as authorities consider return to strict lockdown

Coronavirus infections in Ukraine swelled to 829 cases
on June 18, setting the latest daily record as health authorities indicated
they are considering reintroducing quarantine/lockdown measures. The same day,
23 deaths were reported from the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus and
504 recoveries were confirmed, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov reported at his
daily press briefing. “If we analyze the data for the last week, and we
compared them with those even a month ago, then the number of infections per
day has doubled. This is the result of Ukrainians fully ‘canceling’ quarantine
restrictions. I believe that we need to think about and ponder these numbers
that we announce every day regarding the number of infections and fatal cases,”
he said.

Ukraine’s coronavirus infection rate now exceeds the
world average as a result of surging cases in the last week, Deputy Health Minister
Viktor Liashko told a June 18 press briefing. He attributed the growth not to
increased testing, but to the relaxation of quarantine/lockdown measures,
including the reopening of metro rail, the relaunch of most public transport
and the reopening of nurseries. Several regions may face a renewed severe
quarantine/lockdown as of June 22, he said, though it won’t have to be imposed
nationally if citizens adhere to epidemiological recommendations. If the event
they aren’t upheld, a cabinet resolution approved on June 17 outlines the
process of reintroducing quarantine/lockdown measures as of June 22, he said.

Ukraine’s cabinet decided at its weekly meeting on
June 17 to extend the nation’s adaptive quarantine until July 31. The cabinet
will also examine the Health Ministry’s proposal to intensify the
quarantine/lockdown in certain regions when needed, he said. An estimated 4,853
people have been infected in the last week with the COVID-19 disease caused by
the coronavirus, which is the highest weekly rate since the pandemic reached
Ukraine in March, said Prime Minister Shmyhal. The government understands the
public is exhausted by restrictions but the virus-related threats remain, he
said, recommending ongoing mask-wearing, social distancing and use of disinfectants.

Ukrainian International Airlines, the nation’s leading
air carrier, announced on June 17 it will close the sale of tickets for the
majority of its international flights. The opening of national borders is not
occurring in parity and the majority of nations isn’t allowing the free entry
of Ukrainian citizens, the company press service said. Many countries are also
requiring COVID-19 testing or self-isolation for arriving passengers. Tickets
are being made available only to those with working visas or permanent
residency, the statement said. The airline produced a list of 12 commercial
flights in June that it still intends to conduct, three of which are for
evacuation purposes for foreigners in Ukraine.

Zenon Zawada: These are
disturbing trends that will only further delay Ukraine’s attempt to recover
from the immense damage caused by the coronavirus. It’s already apparent that a
restabilization of the coronavirus situation in Ukraine will take at least two
weeks, but likely longer. Under jeopardy are plans to renew travel to the E.U.
by July 1, whether by vehicle or airplane, which will disappoint hundreds of
thousands of Ukrainians, many of whom are without income.