Kyiv Mayor’s Coronavirus Update – March 27, 2020
27.03.2020
The mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko held a briefing providing an update on the coronavirus situation in Ukraine’s capital and the measures the city is taking to respond.
Klitschko: Sadly, but the infection surges. In Kyiv 56 people have tested positive for COVID-19, with 16 new cases over the past 24 hours. 8 of them are females, 22-59 years old, 7 are men, aged 43-62 years and a 10-years old boy. 9 patients were admitted to the city hospitals and 7 are staying home. At the moment over 1,5000 people have been tested in Kyiv, with more 32 people awaiting the test results.
Again I am urging everyone: don’t go for walks, don’t gather in groups, don’t take children to playgrounds! Coronavirus is very aggressive and spreads very fast. The main thing to prevent it from spreading is to keep your social distance and avoid mixing with others.
The top priority of the city government for now is to implement an efficient mechanism to detect all infected individuals, isolate them and provide them with medical treatment. Kyiv Task Force has already designed a соntаіnmеnt strategy we are launching jointly with law enforcement agencies, medical workers and Kyivans. The first step is to track down the contacts of people knоwn tо bе іnfесtеd. The second step is to have all these people isolated or admit them to our hospitals. Accordingly, a gаmut of agencies and experts that are раrt of the strategic plan work together to stop the spread of the virus. This includes primary care physicians, experts of the Health Ministry’s central reference laboratory, police officers and state border guards. I call on all Kyivans to join in obtaining the information about suspесtеd cases or сlоsе соntасts of соnfіrmеd cases. It is a no easy task which requires everyone’s efforts.
The city government does everything possible to respond to the coronavirus threat. Yesterday the Kyiv City Council amended the budget and approved more funding for the public healthcare and social welfare. It reassigned funds to further develop the infrastructure. The city must function despite the crisis. The City Council will continue to work but go online.
The City Council also approved a stimulus package to support small businesses. The city reduces rents on municipal properties to 50% until July 31 and as of March 11 offers a rent holiday for properties which are temporarily closed due to the lockdown.
I, personally, will continue with surprise inspections to hospitals to see how the clinics operate every day during the coronavirus outbreak.
I am aware that our response may not be perfect and more needs to be done. But the city authority makes every effort to respond to the outbreak in the best way. We all have never done this before, so we are working around the clock to make the system work better and perfect it.
As a public transportation system in Kyiv has reduced service, we analysed the public transit route maps and schedule, and made some revisions. To improve the ridership for healthcare workers there will be more public transit routes. Some hospitals designated for the virus treatment have already arranged transportation for their staff. Please note that during the restrictive period only essential services employees with special permits are eligible to use the municipal public transport.
Addressing some comments in the media about a feared garbage heap, I want to stress that the city will not let it happen. It is true, Kyiv generates plenty of both household and construction waste, it reaches 3,6 tons daily. There are over 12,000 garbage bins and over 2,500 containers for separate waste collection. 4,000 street sweepers clean the streets every day. We will not stop to collect garbage, especially during the coronavirus outbreak.
Many of Kyivans are very concerned about a possible ban on the city entry-exit. I fully understand their anxiety and fears that stronger measures will be taken. But Kyiv is under the same restrictions as the whole country. I believe such steps have brought a result. In comparison with Italy or Spain, the COVID-19 growth here is not so fast. Just look what desperate steps the Chinese government have taken to stop the disease spread!
If the things get worse, Kyiv will have to step in and tough up the restrictions. Especially since there are still people who are opting to hide their positive coronavirus diagnosis and endanger hundreds and thousands around them.
A decision to declare a state of emergency due to COVID-19 spread lies with the Parliament on the President’s order.
We have prepared for the outbreak to the best of our ability. At the end of January the city formed a task force and since then have been purchasing medical supplies, ventilators, test kits and medications. But any help is most welcome, we will appreciate donations of protective gear, antiseptic and disinfectants, free meals, etc. The municipal Centre for Vulnerable Populations can help ensure that food and medications which have been donated reach the beneficiaries. I am deeply thankful to the socially responsible businesses for their offer to help stockpile the medical supplies or provide free rations for the vulnerable populations. It is crucially important today to join all our efforts and all resources.
People’s health and safety is our top priority. Do help, join us! Share the best practices of our peers, give your feedback! Stay united to overcome this challenge!