Ukraine: Authorities to tighten COVID-19 restrictions in Kyiv and Lviv March 20-April 9 /update 20

Authorities in Ukraine to tighten COVID-19 restrictions in Kyiv and Lviv March 20-April 9. Other restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities in Ukraine plan to tighten restrictions in Kyiv and Lviv March 20-April 9. These two cities will join the regions of Zhytomyr, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi as designated red zones. Red zones have the most stringent restrictions under Ukraine's adaptive quarantine regime. Public transport has been suspended in these areas; passengers may disembark from regional buses and trains but may not board. Additionally, shopping malls, catering establishments, educational institutions, fitness centers, and sports facilities remain closed. Public gatherings are banned.

Ukraine is maintaining the adaptive quarantine regime until April 30 due to COVID-19 activity; under the regime, all regions are classified as one of four color-coded zones - green, yellow, orange, or red - depending on the volume of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, local morbidity rates, and the capacity of local hospitals. Regional zone designations are available on the Ukrainian government's Coronavirus Hub. As of March 18, Vinnytsia, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Ternopil, Khmelnytsky, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv are designated as orange zones; the rest of the country is designated as yellow.

In orange zones, hotels may operate, but other forms of short-term lodging are prohibited. Entertainment venues, restaurants, fitness centers, and cultural institutions are closed. Scheduled nonemergency medical procedures have been suspended. Outdoor gatherings may not exceed 20 attendees.

Yellow zones are subject to nationwide restrictions only, which include the following:

Restaurants, cafes, and bars must close 24:00-07:00.
Attendance caps are in place on public events and religious services.
Public transport, except for metro trains, is limited to 50-percent capacity.
Social distancing standards are in force.
Protective face coverings are mandatory in public, including on public transport, in public buildings, and in crowded indoor spaces.

International Travel Restrictions
Foreign arrivals require proof of travel insurance sufficient to cover the cost of COVID-19 observation and treatment. The policy must be issued by a company in Ukraine or an international insurance company with representation or a partnership in Ukraine. Foreigners and stateless persons who permanently reside in Ukraine, refugees, and diplomats are exempt from the requirement.

In addition, the government of Ukraine classifies foreign countries as either "green" or "red" based on their levels of disease activity. Travelers from green countries can enter Ukraine without restriction. Travelers arriving from red countries must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival; alternatively, they may opt to take a COVID-19 test on arrival and must self-isolate until a negative result is confirmed. Persons in possession of a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival, as well as diplomats, representatives of foreign organizations, students, international freight truck drivers, and aircraft and vessel crew members, are exempt.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.