Ukraine will go into a nationwide lockdown starting on Jan. 8 until Jan. 24 to curb the spread of COVID-19, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Dec. 9.
The government abandoned an earlier plan to introduce a strict lockdown over the New Year and Christmas holidays in the wake of a slight decline in the infection rate. Shmyhal attributed the positive trend to better mask enforcement as well as “the weekend lockdown” — restrictions on some businesses that were in place for three weekends in November — despite earlier claims by top officials that it had not been effective because the public did not comply.
“The situation is difficult but we see a positive trend,” Shmyhal said.
Ukraine has registered 845,343 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 14,204 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Currently, there are over 380,000 active cases, and over 930,000 suspected cases of the coronavirus disease.
Health Minister Maksym Stepanov explained the choice of dates for the 16-day lockdown by the seasonal peak in flu infections at the end of January and the beginning of February. Influenza shares many symptoms with COVID-19 and its overlapping with the pandemic poses additional challenges for the medical system.
What will be closed?
- Cafes, bars, restaurants (delivery and takeout only)
- Non-grocery stores and bazaars (delivery only)
- Cinemas, theaters, art galleries, museums
- Gyms, fitness centers, swimming pools
- Shopping malls, except for stores selling essential goods (defined as groceries, hygienic and household goods, medicines)
- Night clubs, concert venues
- Hostels, but not hotels
- Schools and universities, but not kindergartens
What will be open?
- Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, post offices, petrol stations without food zones
- Hotels (with restrictions on dining)
- Hairdressers’ and beauty salons (by appointment only)
The final version of the government decree is yet to be published. Deputy Health Minister Viktor Lyashko said on Dec. 5 that ski resorts and churches will be open, too.
Public transport will not be halted during the January lockdown, but the requirement that the number of passengers should not exceed the number of available seats remains.
All mass events are banned. Professional sports competitions are allowed without spectators.
Cross-border and intercity travel will be open.
Staffers of state and communal bodies will work remotely. Companies and organizations are recommended to allow employees to work from home.
Shmyhal also announced on Dec. 9 a Hr 12 billion (over $427 million) support package for businesses and citizens affected by the lockdown. Individual entrepreneurs and hired employees are eligible for compensation of Hr 8,000 ($285). The government also promised tax exemptions.
Holidays
While the government spared Ukrainians from spending the holiday period in lockdown, officials still have not issued holiday guidance for citizens or additional restrictions on social gatherings on the New Year and Christmas holidays (in Ukraine, both Catholic and Orthodox Christmas are celebrated, on Dec. 25 and Jan. 7).
According to the latest government decree passed on Dec. 9, Christmas fairs and concerts are banned, but only during the lockdown, which will start on Jan. 8.
At the same time, the health ministry proposed to prolong the working hours of eateries on Dec. 31 from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.
So far, the authorities of several bigger cities have canceled traditional New Year celebrations such as concerts and traditional Christmas fairs. But some decided to go ahead with Christmas fairs with mandatory masks, temperature screenings and a limited number of visitors.
