Government to regulate prices for food, medicines during lockdown

Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers will introduce from May 18 the state regulation of prices for goods of social significance and anti-epidemic goods for the period of the lockdown, the press service of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection has reported.
"The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted resolution No. 341 of April 22, 2020 "On measures to stabilize prices for goods of significant social significance, anti-epidemic goods," which temporarily introduces the state regulation of prices for goods of significant social importance and anti-epidemic goods by declaring changes in retail prices if they grow," the report said.

According to paragraph 3 of the resolution, it enters into force ten days after its publication and is valid until the end of the lockdown established by Cabinet of Ministers resolution No. 211 of March 11, 2020.

The resolution was published on May 8, 2020 in the government's Uriadovyi Kurier newspaper and therefore, it enters into force on May 18, the agency said.

The State Food on Food Safety and Consumer Protection said the resolution had approved exhaustive lists of socially significant goods and anti-epidemic goods the change in prices for which will be subject to declaration.

According to the press service, from the date of entry into force of this document, sellers are required to declare a price increase of 5% or more.

If prices grow by 5% and more, but less than 10%, the retail price can be applied not earlier than in three days, without taking into account the day of declaration.

If prices grow by 10-15%, the retail price can be applied not earlier than in 14 days after the preliminary declaration of the price.

If prices grow by 15% or more, new prices can be applied at least after 30 days from the last declaration.

On April 15, for the period of an emergency situation in Ukraine, the government introduced the state regulation of prices for social products, medicines and medical devices.

The following products are subject to state regulation: buckwheat, sugar, wheat flour, domestic pasta, milk, bread, chicken eggs, poultry, butter, and water.

On March 12, educational and trade establishments in Ukraine were closed for lockdown, except for grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and banks.

The lockdown was extended until May 22, but some restrictions were lifted on May 11.