Ukraine Shuts Borders to Foreigners until October to Contain COVID-19 Spread

Ukraine will close its borders to foreign citizens for a month starting August 29, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced during a government meeting. The ban will last until September 28, The Kyiv Post reports. 

The author of the article, Daryna Antoniuk, notes that foreigners with permanent residency permits and refugees will be exempt from the ban, as will transit passengers who can confirm that they will leave the country in no more than two days.

The ban will also not apply to citizens invited to the country by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or members of diplomatic missions and international organizations.

Cargo drivers, airplane cabin crews and patients who come to Ukraine for treatment are still allowed to cross the border. Students of Ukrainian universities, athletes and cultural workers who have an invitation from Ukrainian institutions will also be allowed in.

The entry ban follows the government’s decision to extend the coronavirus quarantine until October 31 due to the negative dynamic of infection in the country.

By Ana Dumbadze  

Source: The Kyiv Post

Photo by Volodymyr Petrov