Entrepreneurs can now be fined for allowing customers to break health safety rules

Starting today, January 14, Ukrainian entrepreneurs will be fined for allowing people with no face masks in public indoor settings and on public transport.

Why businesses are fined for visitors breaking mask rules

In December 2020, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law amending the anti-epidemic rules.

New legislation allows imposing fines on enterprises, entrepreneurs, institutions, and organizations that have violated health safety regulations.

The day before, the new law was published in the parliamentary gazette Holos Ukrainy before coming into force today, on January 14.

Mask rules: Details of fines

Legislation says entrepreneurs will face a fine for allowing during the lockdown period to public indoor settings where services are rendered, as well as on public transport, customers wearing no protective face masks or respirators, including homemade ones, covering both nose and mouth.

They also face a fine for the lack of warnings, delivered in any form and in any way, about the need to wear a protective mask and/or for the lack of response to customers attending such locations without PPE on (verbal remark on the need to wear a mask, termination of service or reporting the violation to police).

In addition, pending lockdown, fines are provided for employees failing to wear a mask while serving customers.

Fines to be paid by entrepreneurs for allowing visitors with no masks on: Sums

A fine has been established in the amount of 200 to 300 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens, that is, from UAH 3,400 to UAH 5,100.

The same fine is provided for service providers and their employees failing to wear masks while serving consumers.

Lockdown: Background

Since January 8, Ukraine has been on lockdown. Enhanced quarantine restrictions to counter the coronavirus spread will be in place until January 24.

After the January lockdown, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine plans to switch to adaptive quarantine.

In general, the quarantine regime in Ukraine has so far been established until February 28.