Ukraine acts to prevent coronavirus spread
The Ukrainian government has decided to ban mass gatherings and to close schools and universities for three weeks in a bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The government said in a statement on March 11 that it was banning all mass events with more than 200 expected participants. Some sporting events might go ahead with the agreement of the relevant international organizations, but without spectators. The government also banned until June 1 the export of masks and other gear to ensure there are no shortages of protective equipment. The statement did not say when the measures would come into force. The coronavirus outbreak has infected more than 117,000 people globally and killed over 4,200. Ukraine’s only confirmed coronavirus patient is a resident of the southwestern region of Chernivtsi who had recently traveled to Italy. Earlier in the day, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that schools and universities in the Ukrainian capital would be closed until the end of March, as part of “preventive measures” against the spread of the novel coronavirus.