Ukraine extends COVID quarantine until June 30

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided to continue
the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic until June 30.
Pravda.com.ua reported that the decision was made at a Cabinet meeting on April
21. Prime Minister Denis Shmygal stated that the state of emergency is a matter
for the public authorities more than anything else.

The Health Ministry recorded 12,162 new cases of
coronavirus in the last 24 hours and 429 deaths. In Kyiv, where 75% of hospital
beds for coronavirus patients are occupied, 965 new cases were registered,
along with 40 deaths. The National Academy of Sciences has forecast that
through May 4 the numbers of cases and deaths related to COVID will continue to
drop.

James Hydzik: The Cabinet’s decision is important for businesses on several levels,
including taxes. The current restrictions on prosecuting tax cases, for
example, will continue. The continuation also keeps the current system of
graduated quarantine levels active. Though the forecast calls for falling
numbers of cases, the end to the state of emergency is more related to
vaccination and preparedness for future outbreaks than near-term conditions. As
such, the state of emergency is unlikely to be ended any time soon.