Ukraine tightens curbs in capital as virus cases soar

MOSCOW

As Ukraine’s daily COVID-19 cases jumped to a new high on Thursday, authorities have decided to tighten measures in the capital Kyiv starting Nov. 1.

People will need vaccination certificates or negative test results for restaurants, hotels, gyms, shopping malls, public transport and several other facilities, according to Kyiv’s Mayor Vitaly Klichko.

The new measures come as Ukraine reported a record 26,071 infections on Thursday. The country’s new death toll stands at 576.

Klichko said children and teenagers will only be allowed to enter malls if they are with adults who are vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test result.

Schools will revert to distance learning but kindergartens can remain open if all staff and personnel are vaccinated, he added.

Only people with vaccination certificates or negative test results will be able to use public transport.

However, Klichko clarified that people will not be required to present the documents at the entrance, but officers will conduct checks selectively.