Rada mulls criminal liability for those intentionally infecting others with coronavirus

Ukrainian MP from the Servant of the People parliamentary faction, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Healthcare Mykhailo Radutsky has said a bill on measures countering the coronavirus is being prepared, which provides for criminal liability for those intentionally infecting others with coronavirus.

Speaking during the Conciliation Council, he said this is a temporary bill valid for three months, and there are two amendments from the Interior Ministry yet to be coordinated, according to a UNIAN correspondent.

In particular, the bill stipulates rapid procurement of goods, work and services necessary to eliminate and prevent the coronavirus epidemic through a negotiation procedure reduced to one day; the possibility of 100% prepayment for goods, work and services purchased to prevent and combat coronavirus.

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It is also about the exemption from import duties and VAT of medicines and medical devices purchased for the prevention and control of coronavirus.

In addition, it is about giving the population an opportunity to work remotely during a quarantine or go on vacation; the ban on conducting state surveillance and control measures for the duration of measures related to the prevention and control of coronavirus; and recognizing quarantine as a force majeure circumstance.

“Administrative responsibility for violation of the observation period and criminal liability for deliberate infection of people,” Radutsky said.

The bill also speaks of additional allowances for medical personnel and other workers who are engaged in eliminating the coronavirus epidemic.

In addition, the bill provides for a three-month change to some articles of the Labor Code, which will focus on the fact that people can be granted paid leave.