17 Feb 2022 | 01:27 PM UTC
Ukraine: Authorities tighten COVID-19-related domestic measures as of Feb. 17 /update 44
Ukraine tightens COVID-19-related domestic measures as of Feb. 17; international entry restrictions unchanged.
Event
Authorities in Ukraine have updated the classification of regions according to the nation's COVID-19-related adaptive quarantine regime as of Feb. 17. The following regions have been moved to the red zone: Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Luhansk, Rivne, and Khmelnytskyi.
Domestic Measures
A COVID-19-related nationwide state of emergency remains in effect, and authorities are maintaining an "adaptive quarantine" system for tracking disease activity until at least March 31. Under this system, each region is classified as being at the green, yellow, orange, or red level 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 Feb. 17, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Luhansk, Rivne, and Khmelnytskyi regions are classified as red. Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kherson, Kirovograd, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odessa, Sumy, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, Zhytomyr, and Zaporizhzhia regions are classified as orange while Kyiv, Poltava, and Kharkiv regions are classified as yellow. No regions are currently classified as green.
Restrictions in orange and yellow zones include capacity limits for mass events, cultural institutions, and fitness centers, among other measures. Yellow- and orange-level restrictions do not apply if all attendees and staff are vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19 or have recently tested negative for the disease. Local authorities on orange zones can choose to apply tougher restrictions. Restrictions in red zones generally include the closure of nonessential businesses and a prohibition on public gatherings. Authorities, however, allow nonessential businesses to operate provided both employees and customers are fully vaccinated, recovered, or can provide a negative PCR or antigen test result no older than 72 hours.
Proof of vaccination, recovery, or a recent negative test result is required for all interregional transportation, including via buses, trains, and airplanes; such requirements do not apply for travel within a region unless specifically mandated by local authorities, as is the case in Kyiv city. Facemasks remain mandatory in enclosed public spaces and on public transport across Ukraine.
International Travel Restrictions
Ukraine maintains tightened international entry restrictions for certain travelers. Nonessential entry is generally prohibited for travelers who have spent more than seven days in the last 14 days in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique; permitted arrivals must self-isolate for 14 days upon entry.
All nonresident foreign nationals traveling to Ukraine must have health insurance covering COVID-19 treatment and must generally present documentation indicating vaccination against or recovery from COVID-19 or proof of a negative result from a PCR or rapid antigen test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Unvaccinated travelers must also take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival or subsequently begin up to 10 days of self-isolation, which can end early after receiving a negative result. All unvaccinated foreign nationals entering Ukraine must download and install the "Vdoma" COVID-19 mobile application, which authorities use to monitor self-isolation.
Unvaccinated travelers arriving from Russia must undergo self-isolation for at least 14 days. There are no provisions for such travelers to end their quarantine period early.
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.
