PM Shmyhal doesn’t see need to introduce state of emergency in Ukraine

"There is no need to introduce a state of emergency in Ukraine now. A state of emergency is introduced when there really are emergencies. Today, the spread of coronavirus [in Ukraine] is quite moderate unlike many countries in Europe," the Head of Government said on the air of the Freedom of Speech program on ICTV channel, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

According to him, the state of emergency situation is introduced in those regions of Ukraine where coronavirus infection is detected, after the confirmation of the first case.

"And so far, these measures are enough to effectively manage the regions where the disease has emerged and the situation in the country as a whole. As for the introduction of the state of emergency... this week it does not appear that there is a need to introduce a state of emergency in Ukraine," Shmyhal stressed.

The emergency situation regime has been already introduced in Kyiv city and Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Zhytomyr, Donetsk, Ternopil and Cherkasy regions.

In addition, at an extraordinary meeting of the regional commissions on technogenic and environmental safety and on emergency situations chaired by Head of the Lviv Regional State Administration Maksym Kozytsky on the evening of March 23, it was decided to introduce the emergency situation regime in Lviv region from 00:01 on March 24.

As reported, the national lockdown was introduced in Ukraine until April 3 to counteract the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus infection. In particular, educational establishments and all shops except groceries, pharmacies, gas stations and banks were closed. The operation of subways in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro was suspended. The work of city transport is restricted. The intercity and interregional road, rail and air passenger transportation was stopped. In addition, the foreigners are banned from entering Ukraine and the international passenger services are suspended. The mass events in the country are banned.

As of morning March 23, Ukraine confirmed 73 coronavirus cases, including three lethal ones. One patient recovered and was discharged from hospital.

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