The Government of Ukraine has decided to temporarily suspend some border crossing points (BCPs) and terminate pedestrian crossings.

During the briefing in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine the Head of the State Border Service of Ukraine Serhii Deineko noted that BCPs with no intensive traffic of passengers were chosen for closure.

"Necessary number of border crossing points will be operating at the border with all neighbouring countries and this will be sufficient to ensure stable entry-exit operations," said Serhii Deineko.

94 of the total number of BCPs and control points are temporarily closed in accordance with CMU Ordinance No. 288-p from 13.03.2020. In addition, the remaining 49 operating BCPs pedestrian traffic will be temporarily terminated.

It should be emphasized that according to the CMU Ordinance from 14.03.2020 №287-r from 00.00 of March 17, 2020 until April 3, 2020 all border crossing points (control points) will temporarily be closed for international passenger transportation.

Such measures have been introduced to prevent the threat of COVID-19 from infecting and spreading in the territory of Ukraine a particularly dangerous infectious disease and in accordance with the Regulation on Border Crossing Points and Control Points.

It should be noted that due to the high level of cross-border migration of Ukrainian population and foreigners, the State Commission for Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergency Situations by decision of March 10, 2020 recognized the situation regarding the threat of spreading of acute respiratory disease caused by COVID- 19 as medical and biological emergency situation and set the task of limiting the number of existing border crossing points and enhancing control.

We have to add that in view of the possible increase of passenger traffic in the BCPs that continue to operate, the State Border Guard Service will enhance the shifts of border guard details and redistribute the available resources, technical means and means of protection. At the same time, all suspended BCPs will also be enhanced taking into account all possible associated risks.