With the latest increase in the number of new coronavirus cases, Ukraine does not fit COVID-19 incidence requirements that the European Commission may set for states whose citizens to be allowed into the Schengen zone.
The official statistics of the Health Ministry has already exceeded the criteria noted in the draft decision of the European Commission, as reported by the Ukrainian media outlet Europeiska Pravda.
According to The New York Times, countries on the EU draft lists have been selected as safe based on a combination of epidemiological criteria. The benchmark is the E.U. average number of new infections – over the past 14 days – per 100,000 people, which is currently 16 for the bloc.
Once diplomats agree on a final list, it will be presented as a recommendation early next week before July 1.
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Meanwhile, according to the Ukrainian Health Ministry, as of June 24, Ukraine has 10,723 new patients over the past 14 days. According to the State Statistics Service (these official data will probably be used by the EU), Ukraine's population is 41.8 million people. This means the incidence rate for 14 days is 25.65 cases per 100,000 people, which exceeds the criteria established by the EU. Moreover, this indicator continues to grow every day.
If the draft recommendations of the European Commission are approved by member states, Ukrainians will still not be allowed to enter the EU, including for tourism.
Although the decision to extend the restrictions has not yet been approved, the chances of its adoption are high.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the global tourism will decline by 80% in 2020.
