Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers Oleg Nemchynov reveals why the authorities chose January 8 as the beginning of the lockdown as Ukraine 24 reported.
“We considered the data of analysts of the NSDC and Health Ministry that predicted some rates until the peak. The previous offer was right after the New Year; we considered the effect of the weekend quarantine, observed the flattening of the curve at which we are situated; capacity of beds and offered the date,” Nemchynov said.
The Minister noted that the air transport will work during the lockdown.
“The air traffic is safe - all people on the board are in masks, and it is not your fancy shuttle bus, as the social distance is strictly observed there,” Nemchynov said.
Earlier, the Ukrainian government made a decision to introduce the boosted lockdown restrictions starting from January 8 to January 24.
The restrictions include the ban on the work of cafes, restaurants, bars (except for delivery and takeaway orders); cinemas, theaters; fitness clubs, gyms, swimming pools; shopping and entertainment centers (trade of food, medicines, veterinary drugs, personal hygiene products, and household chemicals will be allowed); ban on the trade of non-food products; ban on any entertainment, sports or cultural events.
All educational institutions, except kindergartens, will be sent on vacation.
At the same time, public transport will continue to operate. Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, postal operators and hotels will also remain active.