Ukraine to allow Jewish worshippers to Uman on Rosh Hashanah

 

Ukraine's deputy health minister, Dr. Ihor Kuzin, said on Monday that his country would work to ease restrictions on the annual Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) pilgrimage to the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslev in the city of Uman, Russian news agency Interfax reported.

According to Kuzin, a special directive allowing religious pilgrims to enter the country under certain pandemic-related restrictions has been approved and will also apply to Hassidic Jews visiting Uman.

"The directive consists of basic steps for the prevention of pandemics, such as the requirement to wear protective masks, checking body temperature, and oversight of the public transportation used by pilgrims. Additionally, border crossing protocols are well-defined now and the instructions are clear and unequivocal," said Kuzin.

Kuzin also said that informational pamphlets were ready for distribution at the country's airports and that volunteers from Ukraine and Israel have been recruited to facilitate expeditious testing of Hassidic visitors.

Ukraine's deputy health minister added that some 50,000 rapid coronavirus testing kits have been allocated by the ministry for those arriving in Uman from Israel and that around 190,000 protective masks and 19,000 hand sanitizer bottles have already been purchased to protect the attendees.