Most quarantine restrictions will be lifted on May 1 in Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on April 28.
This means the reopening of restaurants, stores and gyms, and unlimited access to public transport.
Kyiv has been under a lockdown since March 20. It was initially introduced for three weeks, and was prolonged twice. Many expected that it will be prolonged again past the scheduled end date of April 30, but it didn’t happen.
The lockdown is being lifted as Ukraine goes into a holiday-heavy period. May 1 and May 9 are official holidays, and Orthodox Easter is celebrated on May 2 this year. Ukrainians will have two long weekends: May 1-4 and May 8-10.
Starting May 1, Kyiv will allow the following:
- dining in cafes is allowed, including indoors;
- public transport is open for general access, not limited to passengers with special passes like before;
- all stores, markets, and shopping malls open;
- gyms now operate fully, including group classes;
- schools and kindergartens reopen starting May 5, the first working day after a long weekend.
Kyiv now is in the “yellow” quarantine zone, so some restrictions remain in force. Mass events are limited (no less than 4 square meters per visitor), sports games allow 50% of seats to be filled, cafes and bars must close by midnight.
Mask wearing remains mandatory in all public places.
