Ukraine reports record daily high 3,144 new coronavirus cases

Elderly people wearing protective face masks amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are seen in central Kyiv, Ukraine September 11, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Ukraine registered a record daily high of 3,144 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, the national security council said, topping a previous record of 2,836 on Sept. 5.

"We have a new record. And we have no other way but to adhere to the rules of the new reality - mask, distance and clean hands," Health Minister Maksym Stepanov told a televised briefing.

The number of infections has increased sharply in Ukraine in the past three months as authorities have eased some restrictions, allowing cafes, churches and public transport to reopen.

A woman wearing a protective face mask amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) walks in central Kyiv, Ukraine September 11, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Stepanov said most of the population did not follow the recommendations of doctors, did not wear masks or maintain distance.

Ukraine had 148,756 registered cases as of Sept. 11, with 3,076 deaths and 67,005 recoveries.

People use their mobile phones as they rest in a cafe in an underground shopping centre in central Kyiv, Ukraine September 11, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; editing by Christian Schmollinger and Jason Neely)

Members of the National Guard of Ukraine wearing protective face masks amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are seen in central Kyiv, Ukraine September 11, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

A waiter opens an umbrella before the opening of the cafe amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in central Kyiv, Ukraine September 11, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich