Weekend quarantine: Zelensky announces promised bailout for businesses

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says bills will be tabled in parliament soon to ensure a bailout for businesses and employees whose activity is subject to the weekend quarantine.

"Bills will be submitted to parliament in the near future, providing for the following: one-time financial assistance to those whose sphere of activity is subject to a ban that strengthens the quarantine. And if you are a private entrepreneur and will have to close, for example, your cafe, or if you are an employee and you have been fired because unfortunately the cafe is closed, you may get UAH 8,000 (US$282) as relief," he said in a video message posted on Facebook on November 24.

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Business support

On November 18, Zelensky instructed the government to adopt a comprehensive program to support Ukrainian businesses amid quarantine-related curbs.

"I instructed the government, and in the coming days we expect a comprehensive, really a very important program of measures, which will include tax breaks, grace periods for borrowed funds, opportunities for new loans on favorable terms, sectoral support for businesses that have suffered as a result of the quarantine, a support program for people who have lost their income over the quarantine or were forced to cease their operations, and other important tools available," he said.

Weekend quarantine: In brief

• On November 11, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to introduce the so-called weekend quarantine nationwide from November 14 to November 30. It will be in effect from 00.00 Saturday through 00.00 Monday.
• On the weekend, a ban will be in effect in addition to the restrictions provided for on weekdays, namely cafes and restaurants (except for the take-out service), shopping malls and entertainment centers, other entertainment outlets, fitness centers and the like should be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Only grocery stores, pharmacies, veterinary pharmacies, medical institutions, gas stations are allowed to operate.
• On the same day, November 11, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal promised the Cabinet of Ministers would provide financial assistance to businesses that could suffer losses from the weekend quarantine.