Serhii Verlanov: the top priority is to protect employees of the STS and taxpayers during the coronavirus pandemic

Press service of the State Tax Service of Ukraine, published 13 March 2020 at 15:26 Chapter: News

Today during the hardware meeting of the STS leadership and its territorial bodies, Serhii Verlanov outlined the main tasks for implementation of the Tax service’s measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus in Ukraine.

“All heads of the STS units and employees should understand the complexity of situation. Everyone should take all appropriate measures to preserve his or her health, as well as health of his or her relatives and taxpayers. I am sure that we will show an example of effective teamwork in the counteraction against the spread of dangerous virus” – stated Serhii Verlanov.

Currently, the COVID-19 Coronavirus Prevention Plan has already been developed and sent to the STS territorial units. Specifically, there is envisaged interaction of the STS territorial bodies with regional state administrations and regional divisions of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (temporary regional anti-epidemic commissions at regional state administrations) for carrying out preventive and anti-epidemic measures.

Preventive measures have been implemented in accordance with recommendations of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Any mass public events will be restricted, remote communication formats, etc. will be preferred. Careful observance over the disinfection regime of all premises and places of contact of employees and visitors / clients, the availability of necessary personal protective equipment are also envisaged.

Support in the anti-epidemic measures will be provided by the All-Ukrainian Trade Union of the STS Workers. Chairman of its Central Council Oleksandr Kyslytsia stated that trade unions are actively involved in all anti-epidemic measures of the STS. Operational meeting with the territorial units of union will be held in the near future and a detailed action plan will be developed.

Citizens’ access mode to the administrative buildings of the STS will also be optimized.

Taxpayer service centers limit the number of people staying in service rooms at the same time and strengthen measures to ensure current disinfection regime. Direct communication of the STS employees with visitors of the Taxpayer service centers will be limited to the maximum. Employees of the Taxpayer service centers with signs of respiratory illness will not be allowed to work and provide services to citizens.

“We are responsible for the health and lives of our employees and cannot simply monitor the situation. Price of inactivity is too high. It is our responsibility to be one step ahead. Statistics show that countries that take a proactive approach reduce deaths. That is why there are no excessive security measures, they only can be insufficient. The top priority is to protect employees of the STS and taxpayers. At this point, there is no place for a compromise.” – emphasized Serhii Verlanov.