Ukraine: Domestic flights to resume from June 5 and international flights from June 15 /update 15

Event

In a government meeting on Wednesday, June 3, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that domestic air travel will resume from Friday, June 5, and international flights will resume from Monday, June 15. In a further relaxation of restrictions introduced to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the government also announced that restaurants, bars, and religious organizations would be permitted to reopen from June 5. People over 60 will also no longer be obliged to comply with self-isolation orders.

On May 20, Ukraine began a phased easing of COVID-19 restrictions until June 22. Most regions have now entered phase 3 of the relaxations, which includes the resumption of public transport and sporting events without spectators, as well as the reopening of child care centers, hotels, swimming pools, and gyms. Regions with high infection rates, including Volyn, Donetsk, Lviv, Rivne, and Chernivtsi, remain in phase 1. The wearing of masks in public remains compulsory in all regions.

On Monday, June 1, Ukrainian authorities announced that intercity travel on trains and buses was to resume. Ukrzaliznytsia, the state-owned railroad company, relaunched services on 35 intercity connections from Kyiv to many of the country's major cities. Inter-regional busses have also resumed in the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Social distancing and the wearing of masks and gloves as well as temperature screenings will be mandatory at many train stations and bus depots.

On Saturday, May 30, authorities announced the easing of COVID-19 restrictions at shopping malls in Kyiv. The reopening of outdoor cafes, beauty salons, dental clinics, museums, and takeaway services has also been permitted. Additionally, parks and recreational areas have been reopened, and groups of up to eight people are allowed to gather in these areas. Food courts and cinemas remain closed. Kyiv reopened its subway system on May 25.

As of June 5, health authorities have confirmed 25,981 COVID-19 cases and 755 associated deaths in the country. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.