From August 7, 2021, citizens of Ukraine can cross the Ukrainian-Hungarian border without restrictions imposed in connection with the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, for the entry of citizens into Hungary, the requirements determined by the Schengen Borders Code (biometric passport/visa, medical insurance valid in Europe, financial security) remain.
“An exception is entry into Hungary by air, in particular it additionally requires a negative PCR test result for COVID-19, a test should be made no later than 72 hours at the time of entry, or a Ukrainian or Hungarian vaccination certificate [together with citizens who have a certificate, children under 18 can also enter without restrictions],” the report said.
For transit through the country, representatives of the Hungarian border authority may additionally require documents confirming the right to enter the country of destination (depending on the requirements of a particular country: residence permit, work visa, hotel booking, virus test results, etc.).
The service also recalled that the Hungarian competent authorities, in accordance with the current legislation, impose administrative fines on foreigners who have exceeded the permitted period of stay in the Schengen countries before the introduction of quarantine measures by these countries (a fine from 5,000 to 50,000 forints/$15-150).
If the period of stay in the countries of the Schengen zone has ended after the introduction of quarantine measures by these countries in order to avoid a fine, citizens who cross the Hungarian border must documentary proof to the Hungarian competent authorities that they were in quarantine, or that documents for the extension of the permit period have been submitted to the relevant authority, etc. (there must be a document from an official body).
At the same time, each case is subject to careful scrutiny and is considered on an individual basis.
The Swiss authorities have lifted restriction on entry of Ukrainian citizens into the country.
“The restriction on entry into Switzerland has been lifted for citizens of Ukraine since August 2,” the online resource of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reports.
It is noted that in order to enter Switzerland, Ukrainians must present a certificate of a full vaccination course (if 14 days have passed since the last dose), a negative PCR test result (must be done a maximum of 72 hours before entry), a negative rapid antigen test result (must be done a maximum of 48 hours before entry) or confirmation that you have had coronavirus in the last six months and have recovered.
At the same time, only a certificate of vaccination with drugs recognized in Switzerland is taken into account, in particular, Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2/Comirnaty/Tozinameran), Moderna (mRNA-1273/Spikevax/COVID-19 vaccine Moderna), AstraZeneca (AZD1222 Vaxzevria/C, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S), Sinopharm/BIBP (SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell)), Sinovac (CoronaVac).
“For persons who arrived in Switzerland from regions with dangerous variants of the virus and who have been in these regions for more than ten days, and who are not vaccinated or cannot prove that they have had COVID-19 in the last six months, a ten-day quarantine is provided,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Ukraine has canceled special restrictions on entry into the country from India, introduced on May 2 this year due to the widespread of COVID-19 in this country. Resolution No. 611 dated June 16 was published in the Uryadovy Kurier newspaper on Thursday.
Since May 2, a complete ban was introduced on the crossing of the Ukrainian border by foreigners and stateless persons who arrived from India or stayed on its territory for at least seven days over the past 14 days.
An exception was made only for citizens of Ukraine and foreigners who permanently or temporarily reside in the territory of Ukraine, who are spouses or children of citizens of Ukraine, for whom the requirement of mandatory self-isolation was established, regardless of the presence and result of PCR testing. However, now this requirement has also been annulled.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has eased quarantine restrictions, allowing, in particular, the holding of mass events (including in entertainment venues [nightclubs] and catering establishments) with the condition of one person per 4 square meters of the area of the building, territory or the fullness of the halls for more than two-thirds of the seats (placement is carried out in compliance with the filling of two rows by visitors and one empty row). This is enshrined in resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 583 of June 2, 2021.
In addition, restrictions do not apply provided that all participants and organizers of the event have a negative test result for COVID-19 by a PCR or rapid antigen test conducted no more than 72 hours before the event, or a document confirming the receipt of the full course of vaccination.
It is also allowed to receive visitors in cinemas and other cultural institutions with a capacity of no more than two-thirds of the seats.
In addition, the “green” level of epidemic danger will be established if the number of detected new cases of COVID-19 infection per 100,000 population in the last 14 days is less than 75, the detection rate of cases of COVID-19 infection by a PCR or rapid antigen testing is less than 4%, the number of tests by a PCR or express testing during the last seven days per 100,000 of the population is more than 300, and there are no regions with an established “red” level of epidemic danger throughout Ukraine.
Ukraine will relax coronavirus restrictions for the summertime, Health Minister Viktor Liashko said.
“That’s for the summertime. People are tired of quarantine, the pandemic. Whenever our epidemiological situation stabilities, we may reopen a bit, allow for certain relaxations. There is no surge, there are no massive infections, so we affirm a golden mean – the ability of the healthcare system to treat, and other economic issues,” Liashko said in an interview with the TSN Tyzhden weekly program on Sunday.
From Saturday, May 1, Kyiv plans to weaken quarantine restrictions, said mayor of the capital Vitali Klitschko during a briefing.
“This morning, the State Commission on Environmental Safety, Manmade Disaster and Emergency Response of the city decided to weaken anti-epidemic measures in the capital. We hope that the State Commission will also decide to review the level of epidemic danger and withdraw the capital from the ‘red’ zone,” the mayor’s press service quoted him as saying.
Klitschko noted that from May 1, all ground public transport and the metro will restore passenger transportation in the usual mode.
“In compliance with previously defined anti-epidemic norms and rules. But I urge residents of the capital to use public transport only in case of emergency,” the mayor of Kyiv said.
He noted that from May 1, the operation of trade establishments, shopping and entertainment centers, markets, fairs, catering establishments, gyms and fitness centers will be restored.
“However, the owners of these establishments must understand that they work only in compliance with all safety standards! It is in your interests, because if the situation worsens again, new restrictions cannot be avoided!” stressed Klitschko.
The mayor of the capital also said that Administrative Service Centers will resume their work, however, they will host visitors by appointment through electronic services.
“From next Wednesday, May 5, the city will restore the educational process in general education institutions, preschool and higher educational institutions. Also, the capital will restore the acceptance of documents for enrolling children in the first grade for the next academic year,” the mayor of Kyiv said.
