Ukraine: Authorities to suspend travel from India due to COVID-19 activity in the country from May 2, lift domestic lockdown in Kyiv May 1 /update 25

Event

The government of Ukraine plans to suspend travel from India due to COVID-19 activity in that country, as well as lift the existing pandemic-related lockdown in Kyiv over the coming days. Starting May 2, all foreign travelers arriving from India or who have stayed in India for at least seven days within the last 14 days will be barred from entry. Ukrainian citizens and permanent residents and their immediate family members are exempt from this measure; permitted travelers must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.

With regard to international travel in general, travelers from abroad 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, on the other hand, 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.

Tighter restrictions also remain in force in border areas near Belarus as of April 30. The additional restrictions specifically apply to the Berezovskaya, Staroselskaya, Vysotskaya, Milyachskaya, Loknitskaya, and Zarechenskaya areas of the Sarny and Varaskiy districts in the Rivne Region. The measures include restrictions on movement 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.

Domestic Restrictions
Authorities in Kyiv plan to lift the city's lockdown from May 1. All public transport will resume normal operations. In addition, authorities will allow markets, catering establishments, shopping malls, and gyms to reopen. Schools and universities will reopen on May 5.

Ukraine's existing domestic quarantine regime will remain in force through at least June 30. Under this system, all regions are classified as one of four color-coded zones - green, yellow, orange, or red - in order of increasing transmission risk as determined by the volume of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, local morbidity rates, and the capacity of local hospitals. As of April 30, the Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Kyiv City, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Sumy, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia regions are designated as red zones. The Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, Luhansk, Rivne, Ternopil, Volyn regions are designated as orange; Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kherson, Lviv, Odesa, Vinnytsia, Zakarpattia regions are designated as yellow. No region is designated green.

Red zones have the most stringent restrictions under Ukraine's adaptive quarantine regime. 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.

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.