Cabinet Extends Adaptive Quarantine in Ukraine and Expands COVID Safety Verification Options

Introduction of a nationwide "yellow" level will be considered on September 21.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine extended the adaptive quarantine until at least the end of 2021 and simplified the rules for verifying the epidemic safety of employees and visitors of establishments, except educational ones. 

On September 20, the government decided to extend the adaptive quarantine and the state of emergency until December 31, 2021. Health Minister Viktor Liashko said that on September 21 the State Commission on Technogenic and Ecological Safety and Emergency Situations will meet to announce from which date the "yellow" level of epidemic danger will be introduced nationwide. 

Under the "yellow" level, the following quarantine restrictions will apply:

• Holding mass events with more than one person per 4 m² of area or filling halls to more than 2/3 of seats in each individual hall is prohibited
• no more than four people per table in a catering establishment, and the distance between tables must be at least 1.5 m
• cinemas and other cultural institutions may operate with hall occupancy below 2/3 of seats or 50% of seats in each individual hall
• sports halls and fitness centers will operate only if the number of visitors is limited to one person per 10 m² of area

The "yellow" level restrictions do not apply if all participants (visitors) and at least 80% of organizers of mass events, employees of cafes and restaurants, cinemas, theaters, museums or other cultural establishments, gyms and pools have at least one vaccination or a valid (72-hour) PCR or rapid test result. 

The final decision on whether to provide services only to vaccinated people or to comply with all quarantine restrictions remains with the owner. To verify the safety of visitors or employees of establishments (except education), the following may temporarily be used:

• international certificates
• "yellow" or "green" domestic COVID certificates
• certificate 063/o (vaccination card)
• a valid certificate of a negative PCR test result or antigen rapid test

Educational institutions will be able to operate if at least 80% of employees have at least one vaccination. As of September 17, according to regional and Kyiv state administrations, 5,350 of more than 14,000 schools already meet these requirements. 

International certificates and COVID certificates are accepted to verify the safety of education workers. 

Viktor Liashko
Health Minister of Ukraine

The current epidemic situation is under control. Yes, we are recording an increase in new COVID-19 cases, but thanks to vaccination we have a safety margin. The healthcare system is ready to respond to a new wave, but the best way to protect your life and health is to get vaccinated against coronavirus infection as soon as possible. 

On September 21, the State Commission on Technogenic and Ecological Safety and Emergency Situations will consider establishing a "yellow" epidemic level across the entire territory of Ukraine from September 22. 

"During (the September 21 meeting — ed.) the issue of establishing a yellow level of epidemic danger across the entire territory of the country from 00:00 on September 22 will be considered," the Cabinet reported. 

Denys Shmyhal
Prime Minister of Ukraine

We changed our approach to quarantine and allowed such establishments to operate so as not to halt the economic and educational process in our country. The state has given every citizen the opportunity to get vaccinated for free with a choice of various vaccines. Vaccination remains a priority in countering the spread of the disease. 

The Health Ministry reported that over the past week the number of confirmed new coronavirus cases rose by 68%, and hospitalizations by 51%. The load on health systems remains manageable: 33% of intensive care beds and 29% of oxygen beds are occupied. 

The health minister noted that last week mobile vaccination teams were redirected to educational institutions. 

Ukraine's chief sanitary doctor Ihor Kuzin reported that 98% of Ukrainians hospitalized with a severe course or complications of coronavirus are unvaccinated. 

Ihor Kuzin
chief sanitary doctor

Over the past three months, almost everyone who is hospitalized in Ukraine with a severe course or complications of coronavirus is unvaccinated. If you want to protect yourself from a severe course, hospitalization and death, get vaccinated today. 

The Health Ministry reminded that in Ukraine one can get vaccinated with three types of drugs: AstraZeneca, CoronaVac and Pfizer. A total of 11 million doses of various vaccines are available.