I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!
We are starting a new week of struggle against the spread of coronavirus in Ukraine.
Our priorities remain unchanged - to provide the country with everything needed, to protect and support Ukrainian doctors, to help citizens and businesses who found themselves in a difficult situation.
I will tell you more about this in detail.
First of all, the Ministry of Health has already received about half a million Ukrainian PCR tests. Today, almost 200,000 more such tests will be shipped. In quality and accuracy, they meet the world standards.
Detecting the virus in a timely manner is very important in the fight against COVID-19. That is why we are increasing the capacity of our laboratories. Our goal is to do at least ten thousand PCR tests a day.
We also expect the traditional arrival of aircrafts from China delivering personal protective means and medical equipment to Ukraine.
About important economic steps. I welcome the decision of the National Bank of Ukraine to reduce the discount rate to eight percent. This gives banks the ability to reduce lending rates for both businesses and individuals. Now the ball is on their court, so we are all looking forward to such a decision.
Among other things, this week the government and the NBU are to present two important programs. The first is a mortgage for the population at a rate of about 10%.
The second is low-interest small business loans to pay salaries to employees.
There is some more good news.
In April 2020, gas prices for households decreased by 15% compared to March and by almost 40% since January.
And this is the lowest gas price for the population in the last four years.
I know that an important issue is the operation of the food markets.
At a forthcoming meeting on Wednesday, the government will consider opening them.
I believe that in case all safety rules are observed, the markets will be able to reopen this Friday.
But I want to emphasize that it will be possible only in case all safety rules are observed.
Jobs, income of citizens, including small farmers, are very important.
But the life and health of Ukrainians are above all.
This applies to both citizens who are in Ukraine and those who are currently abroad. We resume their evacuation with special flights. It will be gradual and controlled, in the format of up to four aircrafts per day.
All passengers returning to Ukraine will be divided into two groups.
The first is the majority who have smartphones and can undergo the mandatory self-isolation at home with the mobile app “Diy Vdoma”.
It will help doctors and our police officers monitor the process.
The rest of the population - about 10% who do not have smartphones - will undergo observation in the classic format - that is, in locations provided by the state.
I am also pleased to announce that tomorrow, as part of the All-Ukrainian Online School project, jointly with UNICEF, children of the 1-4 grades will start their lessons. Traditionally, you can find a class timetable and a list of TV channels that will broadcast the lessons on the official pages of the Office of the President and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
A few words on fire fighting in Ukraine.
The situation in the Zhytomyr region is controlled. Last night, two points of outbreak of fire were eliminated. Currently active work in other locations is ongoing. More than 500 people and 95 vehicles are involved in this work.
Two points of outbreak of fire have been eliminated in the Exclusion Zone, and there is currently no threat of spreading fire to other locations. More than a thousand of our rescuers and firefighters, as well as 235 pieces of equipment are fighting the fire. Background radiation in the capital, the Kyiv region and the Exclusion Zone is within the normal range.
I thank all our firefighters and rescuers for this work.
Dear Ukrainians! Yesterday, April 26, was the anniversary of the terrible tragedy at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
I want to once again thank and bow to all liquidators of the Chernobyl accident for their courage, which stopped the terrible disaster not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole of humanity.
34 years ago, they stood up for each of us at the cost of their lives and health.
Today is a situation when each of us can save the lives of people around us. And it doesn't take much. At least - stay home.
Let's keep this in mind and not go out unnecessarily.
Keep well, dear Ukrainians.
Take care of ourselves! Save Ukraine!