Weekend lockdown provides another heavy blow for restaurants, bars and movie theaters

Ukrainian businesses have gone through it all during the COVID‑19 pandemic — and many are still standing. But with new restrictions in place, the question many owners have is: For how long?

First, they were forced to shut down during a harsh quarantine imposed by the government in March. Then, as lockdown conditions eased in May, they adapted their service by adopting new safety requirements. Those included physical distancing, a mask-on policy, providing employees with sanitizers and protective gear and making food delivery safe. Restaurants got some summer relief with outside terraces. But, amid the onset of cold weather, the less safe and less popular option of dining indoors is adding new financial perils.