The Ukrainian Internal Affairs Ministry announced Monday that Kiev's government has ruled that it will not allow the annual pilgrimage to the city of Uman by tens of thousands of Orthodox Jews to take place this year.
Citing concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said that the mass gathering "would likely create a large spike in COVID-19 infections," thus creating the risk of spreading the virus amongst participants and the local population alike.
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Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein had been opposed to the pilgrimage this year, warning it could lead to "a tragedy" if it triggers another outbreak.
