"We are opening the sea for the velvet season," said Kiper.
He noted that the destruction of the Kakhovka HEP dam and the resulting flooding in June has degraded water quality in Odesa’s coastal waters for some time. As of Aug. 7, however,
the water quality in the Black Sea has stabilized and meets all sanitary norms, according to Kiper.
"I have ordered to get the beaches ready for public access," the official said.
The governor has set an Aug. 10 deadline for local authorities to make the necessary preparations.
“But I urge everyone to meet the deadlines so that Odesa can welcome tourists already this weekend,” Kiper added.
“The (weather) forecast is up to +30C, so we welcome everyone to our beaches, best in the world.”
On May 2, the chairman of the Public Council of the Odesa Regional Administration, Serhiy Bratchuk, announced that Odesa beaches would be closed this year, just as they were in 2022.