Ukraine Tightens Restrictions to Slow Spread of Coronavirus

(Bloomberg) --

The Ukrainian government extended restrictions on people’s movements after the number of confirmed coronavirus cases ballooned fivefold in a week and authorities expect its spread in the eastern European country to peak in the second half of April, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

With the number of positive cases standing at almost 1,000, authorities extended restrictive measures to the end of May from April 24. That includes all school and university closures. The government hopes to start gradually easing the limits at the end of this month if the pace of infections slows, Shmyhal said on Friday in Kiev. The administration also requested people wear facemasks, refrain from visiting parks and limit outdoor walks to pairs.

The inevitable economic recession sparked by the coronavirus pandemic prompted the government to ask the International Monetary Fund to expand its loan program and seek more aid from international partners. Shmyhal said he hopes people may start going back to work by the end of April so the government can “restart the economy” in the beginning of May.

The government raised the number of closed border checkpoints to 21 and ordered those entering the country be quarantined for 14 days, according to the premier.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.