Virus strands pilgrims on Ukraine-Belarus border

Hundreds of Hasidic Jews have been stranded at border between Ukraine and Belarus while on ir way to a pilgrim site in Ukraine, after being turned away at border over coronavirus concerns.

A video posted by Ukraine's State Border Guard Service showed pilgrims, many of m families with children, facing Ukrainian border guards at vi Yarylovychy border crossing.

Hasidic pilgrims visit Ukrainian town of Uman every year to visit grave of a rewned rabbi on Jewish New Year - Rosh Hashanah - but Ukrainian authorities banned m this year because of virus.

mayor of Uman h personally camped outside Ukraine's presidential office in August to press for entry ban.

After being denied entry into Ukraine, pilgrims reportedly blocked ro leing to border crossing on Monday, bringing transport to a halt.

he of Ukraine's Border Guard Service reportedly dressed pilgrims and warned m against attempting to enter Ukraine illegally, while reserve law enforcement units have been called to border.