Cabinet introduces concept of 'safe space' as condition for businesses to operate under yellow threat level

The Cabinet of Ministers has outlined the conditions for businesses to operate during a yellow threat level declared by the government. According to resolution No. 1128 from September 15, businesses of any ownership can continue to function in premises with protective structures, temporary or permanent shelters for staff and visitors, or dual-purpose facilities that include a designated safe space. If a business lacks a safe space, it must create one within its existing premises.

A safe space is defined as the most protected zone within a facility, determined by the entity responsible for its maintenance. This space must be arranged within the facility's layout to shield staff and visitors from secondary effects of conventional weapons and the maximum blast pressure, as determined by the Ministry of Defense in collaboration with the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

To ensure staff and visitors are aware of the shelter and safe space availability, businesses must display signs measuring 100 by 60 centimeters at entrances, on exterior walls, and at the facility's boundaries, indicating "Facility equipped with shelter," "Facility equipped with safe space," or "Facility not equipped with shelter." Additionally, procedures for staff to follow in case of an Air raid alert signal must be established.

Upon receiving an Air raid alert signal via the nationwide automated centralized warning system, businesses must promptly inform their staff and visitors. The Air raid alert signal is differentiated based on airborne attack assets information from the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with three levels: red for missile or missile-drone threats or massive drone threats, yellow for drone threats, and presumably a green level for no threat.

During a yellow-level air threat, businesses are allowed to operate, but visitors' presence at facilities is optional.