Cabinet extends list of goods allowed for sale amid upcoming lockdown

Stores will be allowed to sell household chemicals and print press after the Cabinet extended the relevant list of exceptions in the trade ban set to be introduced along with the strict quarantine across Ukraine from January 8 to January 24.

That's according to the government's envoy to the Verkhovna Rada, MP Vasyl Mokan (Servant of the People), who spoke on the air of Ukraine 24 TV channel.

"At an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers today [January 5], no decisions were made on the new dates for the lockdown. At the initiative of the health minister, Maksym Stepanov, the list of goods was specified that may be subject to the sale ban during lockdown," he said.

The Ministry of Health amended the list of goods allowed for sale, greenlighting household chemicals and print press.

Read alsoWinter lockdown in Ukraine may be postponed – mediaAnother important point, Mokan says, is that in the days prior the introduction of lockdown, the government, the Ministry of Health, and the Economy Ministry must inform citizens in more detail about all the upcoming restrictions.

Background

On December 9, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to introduce lockdown in Ukraine from January 8 to January 24.

On January 4, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine said that according to the Cabinet's decision, trade in any goods is prohibited throughout Ukraine from January 8 to January 25, except for food, drugs and medical products, hygiene and communication products, as well as feed, veterinary drugs, seeds, plant protection products. Any other goods can be ordered only with address delivery.

The American Chamber of Commerce draws attention to the fact it is not only about the complete closure of specialized stores. From January 8, it will be prohibited to sell a significant part of everyday goods even in supermarkets: household chemicals and tools, clothing, newspapers, lightbulbs, batteries, children's school stationery. In order to restrict visitors' access to goods prohibited for sale, according to the government's decision, supermarkets will be forced to close some sections or ban the sale of such goods directly at the cashdesk," the report says.

According to the member companies of the chamber, such a decision is a direct restriction of consumers' rights to purchase the necessary products, and can also potentially lead to conflicts in stores.