Yesterday, December 9, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the terms of the new lockdown: from January 8 to January 24. That is, the quarantine will take place after the mass New Year parties, which has raised many questions among Ukrainians.
What is wrong with the new quarantine, ElitExpert understood.
Meaningless deadlines
There are many questions about the new lockdown, starting with its timing. Initially, it was assumed that the quarantine would be introduced on New Year's holidays to avoid the inevitable outbreak of disease due to festive festivities. Therefore, the maximum strict quarantine from December 23 to January 14 was considered optimal.
However, instead of this, we got a quarantine from January 8 to January 24, when all holidays are already celebrated. And one can only imagine what "observance of restrictions" will be in cafes and restaurants on the night from December 31 to January 1, which were allowed to work until night time, although it is obvious to everyone that the fun in the establishments will continue until the morning.
And if now the epidemiological situation in Ukraine is more than serious, then after the mass festivities we should expect a new outbreak and breaking records - unless, of course, the Ministry of Health will reduce the number of tests performed or introduce incorrect data that distorts official statistics.
How is it different from the spring lockdown?
As many remember, during the spring quarantine, in fact, only grocery stores/supermarkets and pharmacies could work. Banks and the post office worked in a limited mode, and restaurants - only for takeout, which, however, contributed to the closing of a large number of cafes and restaurants for the spring.
The January lockdown is somewhat milder. Its main difference is that public transport, including intercity and interregional, will continue to operate. And this fact levels the entire quarantine. Yes, the Cabinet of Ministers recommends employers to transfer their employees to the remote work mode, but not everyone will take such a step. And what is the point of the fact that, for example, the restaurant will not work if at least one person infected with the coronavirus is in a crowded minibus or subway car?
Also, as in the spring, the work of food markets will be closed. However, as last time, this was also one of the most controversial points: why is standing in queues at cash registers in the premises of supermarkets better than walking in an open-air market?
However, hotels (they were closed in the spring) and ski resorts will continue to operate calmly. It looks at least unfair to the owners of restaurants, beauty salons and other establishments, which must stop their work in January.
That is, if you do not take into account the closure of public places and entertainment establishments, the January lockdown is not much different from the quarantine rules of the "orange zone" by which we live today, which means that its effectiveness will be very, very low.
