Additional measures to protect Ukrainians during the Easter holidays were discussed at a daily conference call chaired by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on combating the spread of coronavirus.
In particular, the parties discussed the issues of strengthening control over the wearing of masks, limiting crowds and the regime of worship service.
"We must do everything to protect Ukrainians from the coronavirus epidemic. Easter is always an important period for people, a period of family reunification. I am sure that Ukrainians understand that there is a need to protect the nearest ones at this important time as well,” the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy was informed that in order to respond to the difficult situation of doctors in the Ternopil region and their appeal to the President and the Government, Chief medical officer Viktor Lyashko has already set off for the region. He will settle the issue of the provision of health workers with protective means, inform about the recent actions of the government to assist patients, and consider any pressing issues of physicians and local residents.
Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov said that licensing of Ukrainian companies for the production of pharmaceuticals that will help overcome COVID-19 in the initial stages and avoid complications is underway. The Ministry of Health has already developed a protocol for the treatment of coronavirus patients.
Tonight, 100,000 tests arrived in Ukraine, and they will have been delivered to the regions by night, Secretary of the Coordination Council on Combating the Spread of COVID-19 Kyrylo Tymoshenko said. He also added that a contract for the purchase of reagents, which will be enough to carry out one million tests, will be signed today, on April 3.
"At the beginning of next week, these reagents will be sent to regional laboratories," Kyrylo Tymoshenko noted.
The first batch of reusable protective suits for doctors will be shipped to the regions today. By the end of next week, healthcare institutions will have received 12,000 items of such protective clothing.
The necessary special means and equipment are purchased on a regular basis, Kyrylo Tymoshenko stressed.
The President of Ukraine stated that the delivery of these items to medical institutions should be checked.
“To avoid the fact that we are looking for money, partners, negotiating with production abroad, organizing planes, transportation, and then receiving beautiful statistics and hundreds of doctors' complaints that they have nothing. Doctors are in the midst of infection, they are our warriors, our protection, our hope. We are doing everything for them to be protected and be able to protect us,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy summed up.