Coronavirus: demonstration in Ukraine to ease containment

Several hundred small entrepreneurs protested on Wednesday (April 29th) in central Kiev to demand a loosening of the confinement imposed by the authorities, who immediately announced the lifting of certain restrictions.

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Blocking traffic on a central street, masked protesters gathered in front of the government building to demand that some of the existing restrictions be lifted on Friday, two weeks before the date envisaged by the authorities. "Another day of your protection and we will cease to exist!" , could we read on signs hung on protesters' cars.

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Protesters also demanded "fair for all" containment rules following the scandal that erupted this week around a pro-presidential MP. Journalists accused the man of secretly running one of his luxury restaurants in Kiev, in violation of the confinement. In the afternoon, the government announced the first relaxation of the restrictions in force, by authorizing the reopening on Thursday of almost 900 food markets across the country, subject to strict health standards.

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This decision was taken after recent demonstrations by farmers who notably blocked a road in the south of the country to protest against the impossibility of selling their production and to demand the reopening of the markets.

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"Irresponsible calls to end early confinement pose a threat to all Ukrainians," however warned Prime Minister Denys Chmygal, noting that further easing will only take place if the number of sick people stops increasing.

Ukraine has so far registered 9,866 cases of this disease, 250 of which have been fatal.

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