Israeli and Ukrainian governments: Avoid coming to Uman, Israel due to the coronavirus

August 18, 2020   

The governments of Ukraine and Israel issued a joint statement today (Tuesday) calling for people to avoid coming to Uman for Rosh Hashanah.

The announcement states that anyone who still wants to come will have to comply with the restrictions - and they will be enforced "in a significant manner.".

This is the university that allows you to study from anywhere and at any time convenient for you. The statement reads: "At the initiative of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Jewish New Year was granted the status of a national holiday in Ukraine. However, this has a significance that goes beyond domestic interests. "The epidemiological situation in Ukraine and Israel, as well as in the entire world, unfortunately, does not allow us to celebrate the holiday this year as usual, as is customary." "In accordance with the recommendations and warnings of the Ministries of Health of Ukraine and Israel, we urge pilgrims who plan to take part in the Rosh Hashanah celebrations in Ukraine to refrain from visiting Uman due to the threatening epidemiological situation." "However, for those who decide to visit Uman anyway, we emphasize that social distancing restrictions apply to all public events and will be significantly enforced. "The governments of both countries jointly care about public health and the safety of their citizens. We hope for understanding and believe that next year we will be able to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and other holidays, together and without any restrictions.".

Last night, Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs announced restrictions on mass prayers in Uman on Rosh Hashanah due to fears of a coronavirus outbreak.

Ukraine's Interior Minister said: "Every year, 30 to 50 thousand devotees from different countries come to the city, and such an event creates a huge risk of spreading the virus – not only to the participants but also to the local population.

"We respect the traditions of peoples and religions, and every year we do everything to ensure that they meet the highest safety standards. But in recent weeks, Ukraine has recorded an increase in the number of people infected with the coronavirus, as in other countries. We have come to the conclusion that in the current medical situation it is impossible to organize events, certainly not with the participation of foreigners.".

However, this is not yet an official decision by the government, which still needs to receive President Zelensky's approval, but rather an opinion submitted to the government.

It should be noted that at present there are no restrictions on the entry of Israelis into Ukraine.

According to a report in Kan News, the person pushing for a ban on the arrival of Israelis is the mayor of Uman, Alexander Tserbei - who spent the last night in a sleeping bag in front of President Volodymyr Zelensky's office.

He demands that the president sign the government's decision regarding the ban on the arrival of Israelis, thereby giving it legal and official validity.

Zerbay: "There is no anti-Semitism here. For health reasons, I oppose holding the celebrations in the usual format.".

The mayor said about how he spent the night: "I was bitten by a mosquito in the tent, but other than that I'm fine. It's a shame that no one from the president's office contacted me.".