Prime Minister discusses religious life in adaptive quarantine with AUCCRO

The meeting of Denis Shmygal with representatives of the AUCCRO. Photo: kmu.gov.ua

On May 2, 2020, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmygal discussed with the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations the problems of religious life under adaptive quarantine, reports "Government Portal".

Shmygal noted that from May 22 in those regions of the country where the quarantine has been eased, services can now be held in compliance with all quarantine norms and requirements.

“However, one must understand that all this happens in circumstances when the pandemic is not yet curbed. The number of patients in Ukraine reached the so-called “plateau,” the Prime Minister said. “300-400 people get sick every day, and this is approximately equal to the number of people who recover every day, but we still do not have negative dynamics, and therefore security measures must be observed.”

According to Shmygal, the Cabinet of Ministers seeks to “create all conditions possible in the current circumstances for the fullest performance of the relevant rites and services”.

The head of government agreed with the idea to increase the number of people present during worship and religious events.

“I hope we will continue to mitigate the conditions as the incidence decreases. We really want our quarantine to be adaptive and effective, and we will return to our normal lives,” explained Shmygal.

AUCCRO members suggested the government ways to ease quarantine for religious organizations, and also asked the authorities to simplify humanitarian aid processing, discussed family policy issues, the role of Churches in attracting investment in Ukraine and some other issues.

The Prime Minister said that the Cabinet of Ministers plans to continue the good tradition of regular meetings with heads and representatives of religious organizations. Shmygal supported the initiative to hold such meetings once a quarter.

Earlier, the AUCCRO called on the authorities to ease quarantine for small temples.

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