Full lockdown in Ukraine possible from Dec 20
KYIV, NOV 2020 - Ukraine's government and the Office of the President are considering two options for introducing a new COVID-19 lockdown during the upcoming New Year holidays.
This is reported by the media outlet Suspilne with reference to sources close to the talks.
Which of the two scenarios will ultimately be chosen depends
on the pace at which COVID-19 spreads and on how the healthcare sector copes
with coronavirus patients.
"The option of imposing a lockdown is indeed under
discussion at the Cabinet of Ministers and the President's Office now. So far,
two options are being considered, depending on morbidity statistics. The
optimistic version is a lockdown for three weeks after New Year, just for the
period of the holidays," the source said.
However, if the number of new coronavirus cases continues to
grow, the lockdown may be introduced as early as December 20, and then it will
cover the entire New Year holidays.
The average rate occupancy in hospitals in Ukraine
fluctuates within 50% now, but if it hits 80%, the healthcare system may
collapse.
"And then what [Health Minister Maksym] Stepanov said
will come: prioritizing [COVID-19 patients] for hospitalization and a
healthcare collapse. Lockdown options are still being analyzed, perhaps
transport services will not stop," a source at the President's Office
said.
Weekend quarantine
On November 11, the Cabinet decided to introduce weekend
quarantine in the country from November 14 to 30. It is enforced from 00:00
Saturday to 00:00 Monday.
In particular, on weekends, along with restrictions provided
for on weekdays, bans have been imposed on cafes and restaurants (except
takeaway), shopping malls and entertainment facilities, fitness centers, and
the like. Grocery stores, pharmacies, veterinary pharmacies, post offices,
medical facilities, and gas stations shall remain open.
Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko proposes a two-week lockdown for the period of the New Year holidays and a ban on mass Christmas and New Year events.
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COURTESY unian.info
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