KYIV: Ukraine's health ministry will propose that the government maintains lockdown restrictions for the summer despite a fall in new coronavirus infections in the country, minister Viktor Lyashko said on Wednesday.
On Monday, Ukraine registered 535 new Covid-19 cases, the lowest daily number of infections over the previous 24 hours for nearly a year and the ministry said infection rates declined for eight consecutive weeks. However, it reported 1,385 new cases as of June 9 and 77 deaths.
"Despite the improvement in the situation, it should not be forgotten that Covid-19 has not been overcome," Lyashko told a televised government meeting.
"None of the European countries in which the situation with infections and vaccinations has improved has completely abolished restrictive anti-epidemic measures," he said, adding though that the government may soften some restrictions.
Lyashko did not clarify when the government might take a decision on the extended lockdown.
Ukraine, which has a population of 41 million, has been among the most affected European countries so far, with around 2.22 million Covid-19 cases and 51,410 deaths as of June 9.
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