Businesses will get more time to set up shelters so that they can keep working during a yellow-level air alert. At the moment the transition period for businesses without a shelter runs until 4 December.

This was announced by Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi on his Telegram channel.

The government presented changes to the current procedure to business associations on 29 October. According to the prime minister, the resolution is being extended because the economy and everyday life cannot be allowed to stop.

At the same time, Koretskyi said, a significant share of businesses have not even started meeting basic requirements for people’s safety in two months.

What the government proposes

First, more time to set up shelters or safe spaces. The prime minister did not name a new deadline. He stressed that the postponement does not cancel the requirements, and that there are enough options to buy mobile structures.

A shelter can be the simplest safe space, a mobile shelter, or information telling people where the nearest underground shelter is and how to get there.

Second, shelter requirements will depend on how many employees and visitors are on the premises at the same time. The Ministry of Economy and the Interior Ministry are to explain the details.

Third, a shelter does not have to be on the business’s own premises. A nearby one can be used if it is large enough and people clearly know where it is.

Back in September, shopping centres in Bucha and Irpin named a basement and “the nearest one” as shelters in their notices to visitors. By then they were already working during yellow alerts under Resolution No. 1092.

What happens before 4 March

By 4 March, military administrations will collect data on how businesses are meeting the requirements. The government will make further decisions based on the results.

As a reminder, yellow and red air alert levels were introduced in Ukraine in early September.

Nota bene

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