President of Ukraine

The situation with coronavirus incidence in Ukraine is tolerable - Head of State

17 March 2020 - 00:45

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the current situation with coronavirus disease in Ukraine is tolerable, but did not rule out the imposition of a state of emergency in the event of a worsening epidemiological situation.

"We have a good situation compared to other countries - if I can say good words about coronavirus at all," the Head of State said during the Freedom of Speech program on ICTV channel.

The President noted that four cases of coronavirus disease were recorded in the Chernivtsi region, and all those infected are in hospitals. Unfortunately, an elderly woman died of coronavirus in the Zhytomyr region. In addition, two cases were detected in Kyiv.

“We fight, we do everything we can,” the Head of State emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that a powerful Coordination Council for counteracting the spread of coronavirus has been set up in the Office of the President of Ukraine. Anti-crisis structures are operating in the framework of the Government and the Ministry of Healthcare as well.

The President confirmed that on Tuesday, the Verkhovna Rada will consider the issue of introducing a coronavirus emergency situation in the Chernivtsi and Zhytomyr regions.

The President did not rule out the imposition of a state of emergency throughout Ukraine if the epidemiological situation so requires.

“So far we have not come to this situation. But to tell you the truth, if necessary, we will impose a state of emergency (throughout the country - ed.),” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.