UOC: "weekend quarantine" violates constitutional rights

Archpriest Alexander Bakhov. Photo: law.church.ua

The head of the UOC Legal Department, Archpriest Alexander Bakhov, believes that the idea of the authorities in Ukraine about "weekend quarantine" is a violation of the constitutional rights of citizens of the country, reports the website of the UOC Legal Department.

Commenting on the statements of the chairman of the medical committee of the Verkhovna Rada, Mikhail Radutsky, about a new idea – to introduce a ‘weekend quarantine’ in Ukraine, when Ukrainians will have to stay at home, Archpriest Alexander Bakhov noted that "it is illegal to prohibit people from spending weekends as they see fit".

He stressed, "The constitutional rights and freedoms of man and citizen cannot be limited, except in cases provided for in the Constitution of Ukraine (Art. 64 of the Code of Ukraine) and a ‘weekend quarantine’ is by no means such a case."

According to the priest, “believers are concerned that when the 'weekend quarantine' is implemented, they will not be able to meet their religious needs, go to church and participate in worship”.

In his opinion, there is no logic in this idea: "Stay at home at weekends, and on other days do what you want?"

“To date, enough quarantine measures have been taken, and the problem is that they are not followed either at concerts or in shopping centres. Now they decided to go from the other side: to forbid people to leave the house – ‘original’," said the priest.

Archpriest Alexander also asked the question: "Maybe the virus is tired and asked Mr Radutsky to arrange a day off for it?"

“It reminds me of people in protective overalls and trucks that disinfect the streets of the city for the purpose of psychological pressure and fear-mongering.”

Earlier, the UOC commented on the authorities' idea of a "weekend quarantine".

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