The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is proposing to revise the rules governing business operations during a yellow-level air raid alert. The changes provide for additional time to prepare shelters, the option to use protective structures outside business premises, and differentiated requirements regarding their capacity. Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi announced this during a presentation of the updated procedures to representatives of business associations, according to Dengi.ua.
According to the head of government, the main objective remains unchanged—to ensure the safety of workers and visitors while preventing the economy and critical processes from grinding to a halt.
“The priority, as before, is people’s safety. At the same time, we must keep business operations active because we cannot allow the economy and the country’s vital functions to grind to a halt,” the prime minister emphasized.
Businesses Will Be Given More Time to Set Up Shelters
The first proposed change concerns the deadlines for preparing safe spaces. The government intends to grant businesses additional time to equip shelters or organize other options for protecting people.
The government notes that there are sufficient opportunities on the market to purchase mobile protective structures.
However, this extension does not mean that safety requirements are being waived. Businesses will still be required to provide at least one of the specified protection options:
- set up a basic safe space;
- install a mobile shelter;
- inform employees and visitors about the location of the nearest underground shelter and how to access it.
Shelter Capacity Will Be Based on the Number of People
The second change provides for a differentiated approach to the capacity requirements for protective structures.
The number of spaces in a shelter will be determined based on the number of employees and visitors present on the premises at any given time.
Detailed explanations on this matter are to be provided by the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
It Will Be Possible to Use Shelters Located Outside the Enterprise’s Premises
Another change concerns the location of protective structures. The government proposes allowing businesses to use shelters that are not located on the enterprise’s own premises but nearby.
The main condition is that such a structure must have sufficient capacity for all people who need shelter. In addition, employees and visitors must clearly know where the nearest available shelter is located.
By March 4, military administrations must compile information on how businesses are complying with the established requirements. Based on this data, the Cabinet of Ministers will determine the next steps.
The Prime Minister also thanked business owners who have already put the necessary safety measures in place for employees and visitors.
“That’s exactly how it should be. Thank you for your sense of responsibility,” emphasized Serhiy Koretskyi.