Mayor Klitschko says Kyiv could remain on lockdown for a month

Lockdown in Kyiv may last for about a month, while restrictions could be lifted earlier if the coronavirus situation improves.

That’s according to Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko who spoke with one of the TV channels, Ukrinform reports referring to Hromadske.

Lockdown in Kyiv will continue given the number of patients and the hospital load. According to experts quoted by Klitschko, today there is no trend seen toward the COVID-19 situation improvement, while the capital is yet to face the peak of the epidemic.

Read also: Over 87% educators in Ukraine received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Klitschko says the city’s intensive care units are at almost 100% capacity amid a shortage of medics to treat COVID-19 patients. In this regard, the mayor has once again called on residents to get their vaccine jabs, noting that almost 2.3 million Kyivites have already been vaccinated with at least one dose.

"Now a lot of people go to get vaccinated as they understand that no one wants to remain on lockdown, everyone wants to live a normal life. We’re looking into extending the hours of vaccination centers, but the situation is difficult because medics are already working at the limit of human capabilities," the Kyiv mayor added.

Read also: COVID-19: EU leaves Ukraine on 'green list'

It should be reminded that Kyiv was assigned in a “red” quarantine zone from 00:00 on November 1, therefore a number of tougher restrictions were enforced in the city. The new rules apply to services, trade, leisure, transport, and education. Most bans will apply mostly to unvaccinated persons or those who carry no fresh negative PCR test result.

im