Ukraine to extend quarantine until May 12, with slight relaxations

The Health Ministry of Ukraine will submit a
resolution at the weekly cabinet meeting to extend the quarantine until May 12
from Apr. 24, Minister Maksym Stepanov told a press briefing on Apr. 21. At the
same time, relaxation measures are being considered, such as access to public
parks and museums, as long as preventative measures are upheld, such as
distancing, screenings and the use of masks.

The peak of COVID-19 illnesses is expected by the
Cabinet of Ministers to be at the start of May, the presidential website
announced on Apr. 20. After it passes, anti-crisis measures will be approved to
support the economy, the statement said, including payments to doctors and
medical personnel.

Coronavirus infections rose by 415 cases, or 7.3%, to
a total of 6,125 on Apr. 20, according to the Center for Public Health of the
Health Ministry. An estimated 161 people have died in Ukraine, an increase of
10 cases, from the COVID-19 disease. The number of recoveries rose by eight
patients to 367 in total. Ukraine’s fatality rate from the virus is 2.7%, which
is below the global average, the Health Ministry reported on Apr. 17.

Zenon Zawada: This is the
second time in which the government has postponed the expected peak of the
coronavirus infection rate, this time to early May. However, the data from the
last week and today indicate the peak has been reached. So state officials seem
to want to be especially careful before making decisions to relax quarantine
measures.

Extending the quarantine until mid-May was widely
expected. However by then, the government will have to loosen quarantine
conditions more weightily than visiting parks. This would have to include
travel to Europe and reopening more border crossings.