Ukraine: Authorities extend COVID-19 lockdown in Kyiv until April 30 /update 24

Event

Authorities in Kyiv have extended the city's tightened COVID-19 restrictions until April 30 due to an ongoing spike in infections. Shopping malls, theaters, schools, and kindergartens remain closed, and restaurants may only offer carry-out services. The 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 April 10, the Kyiv, Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Khmelnytskyi, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, Zakarpattia, Zaporizhia, and Zhytomyr regions are designated as red zones. The Vinnytsia, Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, Luhansk, Rivne, Ternopil, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy regions are designated as orange; Kherson Region is designated as yellow. No region is designated green.

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.

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 23:59-07:00.
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 Entry Restrictions
Authorities have tightened restrictions in border areas near Belarus as of April 13 as part of measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. The additional restrictions, which are scheduled to remain in place, will specifically apply to the Berezovskaya, Staroselskaya, Vysotskaya, Milyachskaya, Loknitskaya, and Zarechenskaya areas of the Sarny and Varaskiy districts in Rivne Region. The measures include restrictions on movement activity in the immediate border area between 22:00-06:00 and a prohibition on flights of light aircraft and drones without prior approval of the border authorities. The measures are ostensibly aimed at curbing illegal cross-border activity, including smuggling.

Other international entry restrictions remain in effect as of April 13. All international arrivals 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, or be denied entry. Ukrainian citizens and residents 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.