Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!
We were and will definitely be healthy!
Traditionally, I talk about the situation on coronavirus counteraction.
As of the morning of March 18, 14 cases of coronavirus disease were reported in Ukraine. 10 in the Chernivtsi region, 3 in the Kyiv region and 1 in the Zhytomyr region. Two cases are unfortunately fatal.
Today, 57 flights return 11.5 thousand Ukrainians home. Our citizens who were stuck in Austria and Sri Lanka are among them. The flight from Vienna has already returned our people to their homeland at 13:30. Some Ukrainians from Sri Lanka have also returned already. The rest will have arrived in Ukraine by the end of this day.
Also today, with a special presidential board, we will return to Ukraine 33 citizens from Austria, including 18 women, 5 children and elderly people.
In addition, we are working together with the Polish railway to launch special trains to evacuate Ukrainians from Poland.
Special transport is provided, which continuously transports employees of strategic enterprises and critical infrastructure facilities of Ukraine to their work. Those who ensure electricity, water, heat, products, medicines and more in the country.
Public authorities, healthcare facilities, grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations operate and will operate. The same goes for banks.
A separate conversation is about them. Today, I signed the law that forbids banks from charging any penalties, fines, increased interest rates on consumer loans. Within two days, the National Bank will develop a preferential treatment for all borrowers during quarantine.
I also want to remind all Ukrainians of important prevention and hygiene measures. Be sure to wash your hands with soap for at least 30 seconds and apply sanitizers. Especially after contacting animals and using cash. Regularly sanitize your mobile phone screen, computer and laptop keyboard, front door knobs with antiseptic. Regularly do wet cleaning and air the house.
Refrain from touching your face with your hands - especially your eyes, nose and mouth. Ensure heat treating of products. Do not eat raw meat, fish and eggs. Handshake, hugs and kisses during the meeting let's keep for later. And most importantly. Please do not self-medicate with so-called proven grandmother’s methods. If you have the slightest symptoms of ARVI or a cold, stay home and call your family practitioner.
Fake news about the virus spread much faster than the virus itself.
Horror stories about 400,000 people having coronavirus in Ukraine are lies.
Once again, I urge all Ukrainians to trust only the official sources of information - the official pages of the Ministry of Healthcare, the Government, the Verkhovna Rada, the Office of the President of Ukraine.
We also have information that many business executives force employees to write a letter of resignation. It's illegal. People, no one can force you to voluntarily resign unless you have the desire. Do not be afraid and take it on the chin. If the business executive puts pressure on you, call the police immediately.
As for the state and municipal enterprises. There was a conversation with executives, they were warned about responsibility for pressure on employees. If the situation continues, they will be punished.
Regarding private companies. I urge businessmen not only not to break the law, but above all to remain human. Coronavirus will pass. Crisis will pass. Profits will return. But honor and respect cannot be restored.
About social policy news. From April 1, 2020, the government will be ready to pay additional UAH 1,000 to those having a pension of less than UAH 5,000.
And from May 1, 2020, pensions will be indexed.
I cannot but speak about the people's deputy of Ukraine Shakhov. Unfortunately, his coronavirus test showed a positive result. Mr. Shakhov was isolated. His personal voting card was registered yesterday in the Rada system. His colleagues voted for him. Unfortunately.
Fortunately, people’s deputy Shakhov was not in the assembly hall of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. A complete list of people he had contacted recently has been established. All of them will pass a rapid coronavirus test.
Let's also talk about the situation in the field of education. First of all, no one will evict students from the dormitory. This issue is under the Prime Minister's personal control. All heads of vocational and higher education institutions have been warned about the inadmissibility of forcible eviction of students. Dear students! If someone tells you to move out, show this video and respective document on the website of the Ministry of Education and Science.
Separately, I want to address workers in the education sector. All of you are advised to switch to the remote form of work as much as possible.
The average salary during quarantine will be kept and paid to you.
Starting from yesterday, a daily broadcast of online tutorials was launched to prepare students for EIT. From 8 am to 9 am, and from 6 pm to 9 pm, they are available on Rada TV channel and on the YouTube channel of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
In addition, a centralized system of online distance learning lessons for pupils of 5-11 grade will be launched next week.
Once again, I want to call on all Ukrainians, especially the elderly, not to go outside and stay home without the need.
Yesterday I advised you what to watch and read.
Today, my recommendation is this. On this link you will find virtual tours of Ukrainian open air museums: museums.authenticukraine.com.ua.
On this link: inlviv.in.ua - 25 museums of the Lviv region that can be visited online.
And here: incognita.day.kyiv.ua - virtual excursions to more than 20 museums from all over Ukraine.
I wish you 36.6.
Take care of ourselves. Save Ukraine!