European countries are gradually closing in on a new, albeit not as strict, quarantine as in the spring. The reason is obvious - the second wave of the coronavirus has covered the state. In Ukraine, not everything is in order with the epidemiological situation, and almost every day the Ministry of Health announces new anti-records.
Will Ukraine follow the example of Europe? ElitExpert figured it out.
Are they delayed until the last?
At the moment, the authorities are in no hurry to introduce a nationwide lockdown, although they are gradually tightening the quarantine. Yes, fines have already been introduced for not wearing masks, and starting tomorrow, hospitals will not conduct planned operations. It is as if they are gradually preparing the population for a total quarantine or, on the contrary, delaying it.
The next step: "weekend quarantine". According to the Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov, only grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations will be open on Saturday and Sunday.
"We decided to strengthen our quarantine restrictions. Realizing that, apart from Covid-19, we still have not very good things to do with the economy, we understand that there will be no complete lockdown. We will offer a strict weekend quarantine. What this means is that only grocery stores, pharmacies, transport, gas stations, and veterinary pharmacies should be open on Saturdays and Sundays in our country. All others — restaurants, cafes, and others — are only for take-out. Other stores, shopping centers - we recommend that they close for the weekend," he said.
According to the authorities, this will help avoid total quarantine. However, there are doubts that this will contribute to the improvement of the epidemiological situation. It is generally accepted that the biggest place of infection is public transport during "peak hours", especially minibuses, where in principle social distance is not observed. But this will deal a serious blow to the wallet of various catering establishments.
Sick economy and anger of the people
Everyone is perfectly aware that the economy will not withstand a new quarantine. Without state support, small and medium-sized businesses will be forced to close, and thousands of people will lose their jobs.
Apparently, this opinion is also held by the country's chief health doctor, Viktor Lyashko, who stated that it will be quite difficult to survive a tough lockdown from an economic point of view. Especially since health protection is impossible without an economic component.
"That is why we are looking for that balance, when certain subjects or spheres of economic activity will be allowed to function in order to replenish the economy. But if we observe a rapid increase in morbidity, which can lead to the collapse of the health care system, then, of course, we will consider strict restrictions," Lyashko noted.
Our economy definitely does not have such a reserve of "strength" as in European countries that have closed for quarantine. Although even there, citizens began to take to the streets, rebelling against the restrictions and the suspension of their businesses. And just social discontent is another factor holding back the Ukrainian government from the lockdown. People's indignation, which will be unleashed on her in case of new restrictions, can completely "sink" the ratings of the ruling team.
Wait for the collapse?
Putting the economy first, we forget about the health sector, which is literally suffocating due to the pandemic. According to the estimates of the Ministry of Health, if the daily increase in the number of patients with coronavirus is more than 20 people, this sector will collapse, and Ukraine will face the "Italian scenario", when doctors were forced to choose who lives and who does not. For this reason, Ukraine needs to take urgent measures and find a balance between the protection of the economy and health care.
