Minister Kuleba: Ukraine may close borders again in case of full lockdown

The weekend quarantine has helped Ukraine avoid a new lockdown now / Photo from UNIAN

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Ukraine may close its borders again if a full lockdown is introduced in the country.

He announced this on TV channel Ukraine 24.

Read alsoOver 9,800 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Ukraine as of Nov 16

"If a full lockdown is imposed, then, obviously, such a measure as closing the borders will be considered. But having introduced the weekend quarantine, we've managed to avoid the option of a full lockdown, so I do not expect this issue to be considered at a government meeting in the near future," the minister said.

Weekend quarantine in Ukraine

• On November 11, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to introduce the weekend quarantine in Ukraine from November 14 to November 30. It is in effect from 00.00 a.m. Saturday to 00.00 a.m. 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.
• Since the start of the COVID-19 epidemic in Ukraine, there have been 545,689 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 9,832 in the past 24 hours as of November 16. The death toll is 9,697, including 94 deaths recorded in the past day.