Tightening of Quarantine in Ukraine: Shmyhal Receives Request, Easing of Quarantine for Vaccinated

From September 13, Ukraine may be moved to the "yellow" level of epidemic danger.

The Ministry of Health has submitted a request to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to move Ukraine from the "green" to the "yellow" level of epidemic danger. We explain everything known so far about possible tightening of quarantine restrictions from September 13. 

Request

Viktor Liashko
Minister of Health

Several government meetings and sessions have taken place, which clearly show that Ukraine has already exceeded the indicators that could move the country from the "green" to the "yellow" level of epidemic danger. We at the Ministry of Health have submitted a request to the Cabinet that the Commission on Technogenic and Ecological Safety and Emergency Situations will consider our appeal this week. And most likely, from next Monday Ukraine will move to the "yellow" level of epidemic safety. Accordingly, additional restrictions provided for the "yellow" level will be introduced, which mainly concern mass events. 

Liashko said that, according to the resolution, the entire country immediately moves to the "yellow" level. If deterioration to the "orange" or "red" level occurs in some areas, the country moves to regional division into zones. 

The minister also explained how schools, kindergartens and transport will operate from September 13:

• there will be no restrictions on public transport operation at the "yellow" level
• schools will operate offline if 80% of teachers are vaccinated against coronavirus; if not, schools will switch to online mode

In the "yellow" zone, wearing masks and maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 m are mandatory across Ukraine. The following is prohibited:

• holding mass events with more than one person per 4 m² of building or territory area
• filling cinema halls and other cultural institution halls to more than 50% of seats
• filling gyms and fitness centers with more than one person per 10 m²
• there are no restrictions on the operating hours of establishments

On September 7, First Deputy Head of the faction Oleksandr Kornienko stated that the Servant of the People would semi-formally ask the Cabinet of Ministers to provide information by the end of this week regarding the possible introduction of a lockdown. 

Shmyhal's Reaction

The State Commission on Technogenic and Ecological Safety and Emergency Situations will soon consider establishing the "yellow" level of epidemiological danger across the entire country. 

Denys Shmyhal
Prime Minister of Ukraine 

To avoid possible harsh lockdowns or "red" zones, we must act proactively. We are returning to the regular meetings of the Technogenic and Ecological Safety and Emergency Situations Commission. A relevant meeting will be held in the coming days, where the issue of establishing the "yellow" level of epidemic safety across the country will be considered. 

Easing of Quarantine for Vaccinated

The Ministry of Health proposes to provide for easing of quarantine for vaccinated company or institution staff if the region of operation falls into the "yellow" or "red" zone of epidemic danger due to the spread of coronavirus. 

Viktor Liashko
Minister of Health

Following the practice of European countries, as well as the United States of America, we propose bringing the quality of life of the population vaccinated against COVID-19 closer to normal. Therefore, this week we began working thoroughly together with all ministries on changes to quarantine norms in order to maintain a balance between protecting the population from coronavirus and its well-being. In particular, we assume that most restrictions provided for the "yellow" and "red" levels of epidemic danger will not apply if collectives or visitors of establishments or various spheres of the economy are vaccinated. For the "yellow" level, one dose of vaccine is sufficient, while the "red" level will require a full course of vaccinations. 

The minister gave an example: work of educational institutions in the "yellow" zone will not be restricted if 80% of teachers have a document confirming vaccination with at least one dose. 

Liashko proposed that the introduction of the "yellow" zone is possible only after such quarantine changes are introduced: "Only when this resolution enters into force — which is at least seven days from the moment it is considered at a government meeting — we propose convening a meeting of the Commission on Technogenic Safety and Emergency Situations and considering the establishment of the "yellow level" across the entire country." 

He noted: "By that time, everyone, including educational institutions, will continue to operate under the rules of the "green level", despite the number of vaccinated teaching staff." 

According to the head of the Ministry of Health, coronavirus "is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated." He stated that "the epidemic situation in the country is predicted to worsen", some indicators have been exceeded, but the situation is not yet critical.