How Ukraine's first week of coronavirus quarantine took shape
A look back at the measures Ukraine had in place by 17 March 2020, from school closures to a ban on foreign arrivals.
What did Ukraine's coronavirus response look like by 17 March 2020? In the days before that date, the country had moved from monitoring the outbreak to imposing nationwide restrictions on public life and on entry across its borders.
Quarantine from 12 March
On 11 March 2020, the Cabinet of Ministers introduced a quarantine across Ukraine, running from 12 March to 3 April, in response to the spread of the virus worldwide. Mass events of more than 200 people were banned, and kindergartens and educational institutions were closed. As reported at the time, the government said some sporting events might still go ahead, but without spectators. Schools were to remain shut for three weeks.
The first death
On 13 March 2020, Ukraine's Ministry of Healthcare reported the country's first death from COVID-19. The victim was a 71-year-old woman from Radomyshl, in Zhytomyr region.
Closing the border
From 00:00 on 16 March 2020, Ukraine barred foreigners and stateless persons from entering the country until 3 April, the same date on which the quarantine was due to end. The entry ban, therefore, was already in force on 17 March 2020.
A regional pattern
Ukraine's neighbours were taking similar steps. On 12 March 2020, Poland suspended all schools and universities for two weeks, closed theatres, operas, cinemas and museums, and banned mass events. The Polish Football Association said its friendly matches later that month against Finland and Ukraine would be played behind closed doors. Also on 12 March, Slovakia ordered its borders closed to non-residents and shut its international airports and schools.
Taken together, these decisions meant that by 17 March 2020 Ukrainian schools and kindergartens were closed, large gatherings were prohibited, and foreign nationals could not enter the country, all under a quarantine scheduled to last until 3 April.
