The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted new rules for the use of shelters in educational institutions. From now on, during in-person classes, only students and teachers will have access to shelters in schools, and in kindergartens—only children and staff.
Admission of outsiders to school shelters will be permitted only by a separate decision of local authorities. Prior to this, it is necessary to assess the feasibility of children and visitors being present together, as well as to determine the procedure for accessing the shelters.
Shelters must have separate zones for students and other individuals to minimize the overlap of their paths. In addition, separate restrooms must be provided for those involved in the educational process to ensure the safety of children.
Information about school shelters that allow outsiders, their hours of operation, and rules for use must be published on the websites of the schools or their governing bodies. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that shelters will remain open to the public after the school day ends.
During school hours, students and teachers will have priority access to the shelters. Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science, Andriy Butenko, noted that shelters cover 80% of schoolchildren, but some of them need to be reinforced.
