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Can you walk outside without a mask: new bans

At its meeting on April 2, the Cabinet of Ministers introduced new tough quarantine measures, and on April 4, it announced the clarification of the innovations.

According to the new rules, Ukrainians (as well as foreigners in Ukraine) have been banned from visiting parks and squares since Saturday, and without documents.

Starting Monday 06.04.2020, it will be impossible to visit public places without a mask and go out to more than two people.

However, the new rules have raised many questions – who exactly will monitor compliance with the rules, what the penalty for violating quarantine, or whether to wear masks on the streets constantly.

So on Saturday the government released an explanation of the innovations.

Is it possible to walk down the street without a mask?

The government states that the mask should only be in public places.

The streets are mostly not public places, but the Cabinet of Ministers stressed that there are exceptions to this rule. In Kiev, for example, public spaces include a 50-meter zone around transport stops.

“We strongly recommend that you be masked on the street, because you can end up in a public area at any time,” the statement said.

What is a public place?

In the Cabinet reminded that, by law, a public place – part of any building that is accessible or open to the public, including for a fee.

In particular, public places include entrances, subways, stadiums, parks, squares, playgrounds, public transport stops, elevators, government agencies, medical facilities and more.

The Government has separately emphasized that in some cities additional areas may be attributed to public places.

In particular, public places in Kyiv include:

  • public transport stops and a 50-meter area around them
  • churches and the 50-meter area around them
  • closed and open types of trade, including trading rows and markets
  • cinemas and the surrounding area

Why bring your ID with you?

In the Cabinet explain that the documents can check whether a person should not be on self-isolation or observational. It will also allow law enforcement to apply administrative liability to quarantine rule violators.

What is the responsibility for violating quarantine rules? What will they be fined for?
The government has stressed that Ukrainians can be fined for quarantine violations – such as the absence of a mask in a public place or a hike in a park.

The fine ranges from 17 thousand UAH to 34 thousand UAH.

If the police or the National Guard decide that you violate sanitary rules and regulations for the prevention of infectious diseases, it may even be criminally responsible.

Do churches close during quarantine?
The government does not close the churches, but mass and religious activities are prohibited.

“We urge all Ukrainians to stay at home for the quarantine period,” the statement said.

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