KYIV, May 5 – Ukraine may end up keeping some coronavirus quarantine restrictions after May 22 in line with recent recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Tuesday.

The comment shows that some quarantine measures may be in place for longer than has been originally planned as Ukraine is taking gradual steps to reopen its economy.

"Most likely, based on WHO data, the quarantine will be extended with the next stages of relief, if this will make it possible to improve the morbidity situation," Shmyhal told the Ukrainian Radio. He did not elaborate.

The WHO said on Sunday that quarantine measures must be held for at least two months for effective control of the spread of coronavirus.

Shmyhal said the strict quarantine measures since March 24 helped the government to better prepare the healthcare system for the pandemic. In Ukraine today there are more than 2,100 mechanical ventilation devices, of which 138 are currently in use, and 33,000 beds have been prepared for patients with coronavirus (COVID-19), of which less than 2,000 are currently used.

The government within the next two days will issue a list of businesses that may reopen on May 11, but those will include parks and beauty and barber shops, most wholesale and retail outlets with the exception of food courts and playgrounds.

The measures are also expected to reopen restaurants and cafes that have tables in open air areas as well as food take outs, other entities to reopen will include electronics repair shops, libraries and museums, dentist offices. Professional sports teams, such as soccer, will be allowed to start training at closed camps and facilities.

Shmyhal said out that the government so far does not see opportunities to open intercity transport. According to him, urban transport will go as it went, and mayors will make decisions on the number of transport and changing its work schedule.

The prime minister said opening the metro for some categories of passengers is planned at the third stage of relaxing the quarantine.

Shmyhal said the most COVID-19 cases are in Chernivtsi, Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. (tl/ez)