Ukraine: Tighter COVID-19-related restrictions to be in force in Kyiv April 5-16 /update 22

Authorities to further tighten COVID-19 restrictions in Kyiv, Ukraine, April 5-16. Other restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities in Kyiv plan to tighten the city's COVID-19-related April restrictions April 5-16 due to an increase in infections. Under the new directive, the municipality will shut down schools and kindergartens. Additionally, use of the city's public transport, including the subway system, will be restricted to employees of critical infrastructure enterprises who must be in possession of special passenger passes.

Ukraine's existing domestic quarantine regime will remain in force through at least April 30. Under this system, 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.

As of March 31, Kyiv city, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Kyiv, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Chernivtsi regions are designated as red zones. The Kherson region is designated as yellow; the rest of the country is designated as orange.

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 are 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.

Red zones have the most stringent restrictions under Ukraine's adaptive quarantine regime. Public transport is 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 are closed. Public gatherings are banned.

International travel restrictions
International entry restrictions are still in effect as of March 31. Upon entry, all incoming travelers who are not Ukrainian citizens or residents must produce a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Ukrainian citizens and residents, on the other hand, will have the option of either presenting a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival or self-isolating for 14 days upon arrival. Freight transporters, cabin crews, citizens of Ukraine younger than 12 years, and persons entering the country for the purpose of education are exempt.

Additionally, 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.

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.