And, in other news (from RFE/RL's Todd Prince):

Zelenskiy, IMF Director Hold Talks On Greater Financial Support Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy spoke with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva about greater financial support as the eastern European country faces a possible crisis due to the coronavirus.

"We discussed increasing the amount of support for Ukraine from the fund during a time of significant challenges for the economy associated with the global pandemic," Zelenskiy said in a statement on March 22.

Ukraine has been in talks with the IMF for months about a three-year, $5.5 billion loan tied to reforms to help the country meet a jump in debt repayments this year.

Kyiv however has dragged its feet on passing the legislation -- which includes a bank law that would prevent tycoons from regaining control over banks that were bailed out with public funds -- and the funds have yet to be released.

Now, Ukraine is likely to need to borrow even more money internationally as it increases spending to fight the spread of the coronavirus and support companies and individuals negatively affected by the potential economic fallout.

The country's Health Ministry said the number of new coronavirus cases jumped by 26 on March 22 bringing the nationwide total to 73. And Kyiv is closing all public transportation for non-critical personnel on March 23.

Some economists have said Ukraine may need to borrow as much as $10 billion.

However, the recent surge in borrowing rates for some emerging market countries due to the pandemic has effectively shut Ukraine out of international bond markets, making access to IMF loans even more vital.

The IMF earlier this month set up a separate $50 billion emergency financing program specifically for low-income and emerging market countries like Ukraine to help them deal with the impact of the coronavirus.

Ukraine is eligible for a loan under that IMF program whose conditions would differ from those attached to the $5.5 billion lending program.

Georgieva said the call with Zelenskiy was "constructive" and expressed support for Ukraine, but gave no indication the fund would ease its reform demands before releasing the pending $5.5 billion loan.

Good morning. We'll start the live blog today with a coronavirus update from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service:

Ukraine saw the number confirmed coronavirus cases rise to 73 as the capital, Kyiv, closed all public transportation on March 23.

The Health Ministry’s Center for Public Health said that as of 10:50 p.m. local time on March 22, there were 26 new cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19 in nine regions and the city of Kyiv.

The ministry says it is further monitoring more than 360 suspected cases, including over 239 patients in hospitals.

Health Minister Illya Yemets said on March 22 that he supports declaring a nationwide state of emergency.

“I have been talking about this since the first day of my work in the government. It had to be done from the beginning. If it were to succeed, there would be no such [virus] spread, which is now developing geometrically,” Yemets told 112 TV in an interview.

Meanwhile, one of several planned medical supply flights from China has arrived in Kyiv, the Ukrainian presidential office said on March 23.

It brought an unspecified number of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests as well as 250,000 express tests including different kinds of protective medical masks, disinfectants, and “artificial ventilation apparatus and other means necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office said.

Each regional laboratory on March 23 will receive the PCR tests.

The procurement was made with the assistance of large Ukrainian business owners.

"This is only the first batch of medicinal cargo from China. Several more flights are planned for this week," the presidential office said.

There have been three deaths related to the virus as schools have remained closed nationwide. Eateries, bars, gyms, theaters, shopping malls, as well as subways operating in three cities have been also been kept closed.

Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has called for a nationwide quarantine to slow the spread of the coronavirus while Kyiv, said it would shut all public transportation for non-critical personnel.

Avakov, one of the most powerful officials in Ukraine, said the measures already put in place to fight the spread of the virus will be “significantly toughened” in the coming days. He said only “critical” industries should remain open and everyone else sent home.

“A total, full quarantine is my position, which I want to ask each of you. And I will insist on it, according to the power of my position,” Avakov said in a Facebook post on March 21.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said in a March 21 video post that only people whose work is vital to the city will be allowed to use public transport. The new measure goes into effect on March 23, he said.

This ends our live blogging for March 22. Be sure to check back tomorrow for our continuing coverage.