Ukraine introduces new COVID options for businesses

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine introduced changes
to its COVID-related policies on Sept. 13. These change personal, social and
business protocols, the Health Ministry announced on the same day.

Individuals who have had two rounds of vaccination
will be issued green digital certificates, while those with one jab will be
issued yellow digital certificates. Negative PCR tests and recovery from COVID
can also be reflected, but the statement from the ministry did not give details
regarding that point.

When a locality is under a yellow epidemic status,
businesses are allowed to decide for themselves whether to serve or operate
only those with a yellow or green COVID certificate, or follow the stricter
quarantine guidelines. In areas with a red-level status, workers and clientele
must all have green certificates. Similar rules apply for educational
institutions.

Ukrainians crossing the border back into Ukraine with
a yellow or green digital certificate do not need to self-isolate.

The changes will go into effect seven days after their
official publication. The announcement comes as a Democratic Initiatives poll
released on Sept. 13 showed that 56% of respondents in Ukraine still did not
want to get a COVID vaccine.

James Hydzik: The modification of the quarantine is a useful step for trying to
maintain some sort of balance to business life. It might also spur some
reluctant people to get vaccinated. However, the government will have to take
more drastic steps, either in communication, or in limiting the public
activities of the unvaccinated, if it is going to make a more serious dent in
the negative perception of the vaccination drive.