Ukraine sets latest virus record as E.U. considers restrictions

Ukraine’s infection rate of the COVID-19 disease
caused by the coronavirus in the last two weeks exceeds the country thresholds
proposed by the European Commission for allowing entrance to foreigners for
“non-essential visits,” the eurointegration.com.ua news site reported on June
24. The E.U. is currently debating whether to set the infection threshold rate
for countries at 16 per 100,000, which is the current average among E.U.
countries, or 20 per 100,000, which would allow for more visitors. Ukraine’s
infection rate for the last two weeks is 25.65 per 100,000 (or 10,723 infected
among 41.8 million), and is setting new records daily. If the European
Commission’s proposed thresholds are approved by E.U. member-states, an outcome
that the news site said has a high likelihood, this will prevent the entrance
of Ukrainians beyond July 1 for “non-essential visits,” which are typically
associated with tourist visas.

The latest daily record was set on June 23 of 940
cases of the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus in Ukraine, Health
Minister Maksym Stepanov reported at his daily briefing this morning. This is
the highest daily level since the pandemic came to Ukraine in mid-March,
breaking the previous record of 921 set on June 18. An estimated 16 patients
died from the disease, while 453 recovered.

Zenon Zawada: So much for
returning back to normal. Statistics are not apparent on how many Ukrainians
will have access to the E.U. as of July 1 based on legitimate work visas, and
how many have employment by accessing the E.U. with tourist visas. But we
estimate the tourist visa share at no less than 50%, in addition to Ukrainians
enjoying three months of visa-free entry to the E.U.

Now that it’s apparent the E.U. is unlike to allow
Ukrainians entry as of July 1 (especially if Americans and Russians are already
forbidden), we can expect such restrictions will have negative consequences for
the Zelensky administration. Tens, if not hundreds of thousands of active,
relatively educated people, deprived of their prior levels of income, will lead
them to engage in political activity.

If not protests, then they will certainly join
campaigns for the local elections set for October. And since they have been to
Europe and seen the advantages of Western civilization, most of them are likely
to actively oppose Zelensky and The People’s Servant party.

The silver lining in the June 23 stats is that the
casualty rate is relatively low. But we can expect the government to lean
towards restrictive measures  in the next week in its adaptive quarantine
approach. Three regions in western Ukraine are already considering intensifying
the quarantine/lockdown, said Deputy Health Minsiter Viktor Liashko.