Ukraine could introduce lockdown at 15,000 daily coronavirus cases - Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he does not rule out that Ukraine could introduce a new lockdown when 15,000 new cases are recorded every day.

He said this in an interview entitled "Autumn 2020: Victories and Challenges" to four Ukrainian TV channels, the presidential press service reported.

"A month ago, we thought that our health system would stop with 9,500 patients a day, that there would not be enough beds in infectious diseases hospitals and doctors. [...] Today, [Health] Minister [Maksym] Stepanov is right that at 15,000 [daily coronavirus cases] we can introduce the lockdown," Zelensky said.

At the same time, he stressed that a tough lockdown would completely stop Ukraine's economy, and its introduction is currently "inexpedient."

As of October 22, Ukraine recorded 322,879 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 7,053 new cases in the past 24 hours.

op