While the plane with evacuees from China’s Wuhan arrived safely in Ukraine on Feb. 20, Ukrainian diplomats continue their work with those left behind in a virus-hit city.
Among them is Anastasiya Zinchenko, who decided to stay in China after she was denied evacuation with her dog.
“I applied, filled the questionnaire, sent photos of my passport and visa to join the evacuation, but the embassy refused because I have a dog,” Anastasiya wrote on Instagram.
Prior to the first day of evacuation on Feb. 10 Embassy of Ukraine in China informed Zinchenko that she could not leave the country with her pet. The embassy claimed that it was against Ukrainian legislation, referring to Article 24 of Order No. 553 of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food from Nov. 16, 2018.
It was only after Zinchenko made inquiries to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and her story went public that the Embassy of Ukraine admitted that she could evacuate with her dog “if all sanitary standards would be passed.”
Zinchenko managed to find only one veterinary clinic in a virus-hit city that helped with the documents. On Feb. 18 she sent them to the Embassy.
“They ignored my message and questions about the dog,” Zinchenko said.
Later she found out that the embassy did not transfer documents to the responsible Chinese authorities and refused the evacuation on their behalf.
Zinchenko noted that Michael, the name of her dog, is vaccinated, has a passport, chip and upon arrival to Ukraine can be placed in quarantine at the owner’s expense.
However, the embassy claimed that “Chinese authorities refused to evacuate her dog.”
“Despite the recommendations to temporarily leave Wuhan, Zinchenko finally decided to stay in the city,” press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Kateryna Zelenko said in a public statement. She also added that the Ukrainian side took all possible measures to ensure the evacuation of all its citizens.
Meanwhile, local authorities in Wuhan introduced new rules that prevent citizens from leaving and entering buildings without the special permission that Zinchenko has not obtained yet.
She was not allowed to go to the supermarket and only managed to buy some food in a small shop near her house. “The dog has enough food for 9 days, while I have for no more than 3,” Anastasia said.
According to Kateryna Zelenko, the Embassy of Ukraine in China stays in constant contact with all Ukrainian citizens in Hubei province and provides them with comprehensive assistance.
