There are no COVID-19 cases in Pochayiv Lavra

The Holy Dormition Pochayiv Lavra. Photo: inforesist.org

On April 21, 2020, the assistant dean of the Holy Dormition Pochayiv Lavra, Hieromonk Nikodim (Shamailo), reported that there are no cases of COVID-19 in the Lavra.

“Due to the fact that the city of Pochayiv, with 13 people tested positive for coronavirus over the last day, is on lockdown, it was decided to quarantine our monastery as well. We asked all parishioners to treat the situation with understanding, and now here are only the monks. We serve ourselves, clean in the temples, etc.,” the UOC Information and Education Department cites the clergyman.

The decision to quarantine the Lavra may also be attributed to the infodemic in the media regarding the monastery.

“We have already been attributed not once different instances, which turned out to be a real fake. And most likely, they will also try to somehow connect the situation in Pochayiv with us. Although it should be stressed that there are no cases of coronavirus infection among the brethren and novices of the Lavra,” the spokesperson for the Lavra noted.

On April 20, the Commission on Technogenic Safety and Emergency Situations in the Kremenets district of the Ternopil region locked down Pochayiv due to the coronavirus spread.

The National Police of Ukraine called this decision illegal because those who took it did not have such authority.

On April 21 at 10:00, the Holy Dormition Pochaev Lavra was quarantined.

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