COVID-19 (Coronavirus): UNHCR offices in Ukraine remain operational

The WHO acknowledged that the COVID -19 (Coronavirus) spread is now a pandemic. Each of us is responsible for taking preventive measures which will reduce the risk of contamination. Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Persons should also avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. To get more information on prevention measures, please visit the World Health Organization (WHO) web site at the link.

UNHCR Ukraine and its partner organizations continue to work and provide assistance to the persons of concern. However, in light of the ongoing outbreak of COVID -19, UNHCR recommends to reduce the number of persons visiting during the reception hours. Such visits in person to the UNHCR office should be made only in case of necessity while, at the time, UNHCR will be available to reply to your questions and provide you with counseling over the phone. These measures aim at protecting your own health as the health of others. If your presence in UNHCR office will be necessary for the follow-up on your case, the staff member will schedule an appointment and inform you of the most suitable day. This is to avoid that too many people are gathered in the reception area.

Please use UNHCR contacts as provided bellow:

For Internally Displaced Persons: UN Refugee Agency Hotline 0 800 307 711 (from Monday to Friday from 09:00-18:00)

For Refugees and Asylum seekers: +38 (044) 288 9424 and +38(044) 288 9686, [email protected] or [email protected]

The address of UNHCR office for urgent visits is 16 Lavrska Str., Kyiv, Ukraine.

Counseling (preferably phone counseling) is provided every Wednesday from 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00.

Written requests addressed to UNHCR should be submitted to UNHCR’s office mailbox: 16, Lavrska St., Kyiv, 01015; and to: [email protected] or [email protected]

The UNHCR partner organizations continue to operate in the same manner: the offices of the partners are open but we recommend that you first call the partner organization before visiting them, unless in case of immediate necessity.

To get more information on changes in reception and inquiry modality at the State Migration Service of Ukraine, please follow the link.

To get complete information on the virus, visit the website of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

How to protect yourself and the people around you

The virus is often carried by our hands. The best way to stop this disease is with soap. Soap kills the virus. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. If you don’t have soap and water nearby, you can use alcohol rub. Wash your hands for 20 seconds.

Practice breathing/respiratory hygiene. This means:

When coughing or sneezing, do this in your flexed elbow or in a paper tissue. Do not cough or sneeze in your hands. They will carry the virus to the things you touch.
Cover your nose and mouth when coughing.
Throw the tissue into a closed bin.
Wash your hands.
Clean your phone regularly. You touch it with your hands and face every day.
Maintain social distancing -> at least 1 metre. Do not shake hands, hug or kiss. Use other ways of greeting each other instead. Wash hands after coming into contact with people. Make sure you distance yourself from people who are coughing or have a fever.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Especially in public places. Wash your hands before.
Be careful around animals. Wash your hand after you have touched animals.
Make sure to wash fruit and vegetables and cook your food well.
There is no need to wear a face mask unless you are infected with the corona virus, or if you are taking care of people who are sick. In other situations, wearing a face mask will not prevent you from getting sick. It might increase your risk of getting sick.

How to recognise if you are sick

There are several symptoms, ways to recognise the disease:

Do you have a fever?
Are you coughing?
Are you out of breath more easily than usual or do you have difficulties breathing?

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE SICK

For asylum seekers and refugees:

If you feel bad (fever, shortness of breath, cough), isolate yourself from others immediately, wear a protective mask.
If you have already signed a declaration with the family doctor, please contact your family doctor. In parallel, please contact by phone UNHCR social partner in your region (Rokada, Desyate Kvitnia, Neeka and R2P in Kharkiv).
If symptoms are severe – you should call the ambulance and inform the Partner
If your children are sick, contact the doctor on call in the children’s hospital. Again, we suggest to contact the partners who will help identify who exactly to contact
Follow the instructions of your doctor.
In case if your health condition deteriorates, call an ambulance. In any case, do not self-medicate or go to an outpatient clinic.
In case you are denied access to medical services, contact UNHCR partner organizations in your region.

For internally displaced people:

If you feel bad (fever, shortness of breath, cough), isolate yourself from others immediately, wear a protective mask.
If you have already signed a declaration with the family doctor, please contact your family doctor. If symptoms are severe – you should call the ambulance.
If your children are sick, contact the doctor on call in the children’s hospital.
In case if your health condition deteriorates, call an ambulance. In any case, do not self-medicate or go to an outpatient clinic.

SELF-ISOLATION GUIDE

Addendum to the Note Verbale of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine dated 16 March 2020 №202/23-010-795

What does self-isolation mean?

Self-isolation is, first and foremost, avoiding any contact with other people to reduce the risk of infection. Self-isolation excludes any situation where you are in close contact with others (for example, a face-to-face contact closer than 2 meters or for more than 15 minutes).

The only exception to this is when you seek medical help (only after telephone consultation).

If you doubt whether you need self-isolation or you do not know who to consult for advice, please call the Government Hotline: 1545

Who should self-isolate?

It is highly recommended to self-isolate in case

you are awaiting novel coronavirus COVID-19 test results;
you have been in close contact with someone who has novel coronavirus COVID-19;
you have recently travelled to the Hubei province of the People’s Republic of China, Iran, North Korea, selected regions of Italy (Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto) or other countries which are reported on the website of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, even if you have no symptoms.
you have recently travelled to China (except Hubei province), Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and you are experiencing cough, shortness of breath and/or fever.

How long should self-isolation last?

If you have been recommended or if you have taken a decision on self-isolation, it should last at least 14 days from the date of the recent travel or close contact with a person who is sick

What should you do if you do not live alone?

If you live with your family or flatmates, you should self-isolate in a separate room with good ventilation. If possible, use a separate bathroom and/or toilet, prepare your food and have meals separately.

Remember about personal hygiene: wash your hands with soap, provide wet cleaning of your accommodation, cover your coughs and sneezes, use disposable tissues. During inevitable contacts with other people, wear a medical facemask and throw it away after use or contamination.

Self-isolate from your pets or minimize your contacts with them.

How to get your food delivered?

Minimize going out to do the shopping. If possible, ask your friends and relatives to get food and other supplies delivered to your accommodation or use a contactless delivery option with online payment.

What should you do if you need to leave home?

If you urgently need to leave the place of self-isolation, wear a facemask and minimize contacts with other people. Use hand sanitizers, cover your coughs.

What should you do if you develop the symptoms?

If during the self-isolation you notice the symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever, diarrhea) urgently turn for medical help and inform about your recent travel and possible contacts with people with acute respiratory viral infection.

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