Yaroslav Zelensky called for a review of the requirements for working during alarms, which he believes pose a threat of closure to small businesses. The deputy proposes allowing entrepreneurs to decide for themselves whether to operate at a yellow threat level, while preserving the rights of employees to go to shelters. He announces this on his YouTube channel.
Work during a yellow alarm: what the rules stipulate until December 4, 2026
Zelensky criticizes Cabinet Resolution No. 1092 of September 4. According to him, small cafés, shops, and other establishments often lack the capacity to quickly arrange shelters, especially if they operate in rented premises.
The resolution allows businesses without shelters to operate temporarily with the consent of the workforce. This transitional period is limited to three months. The Ministry of Economy previously cited December 4, 2026, as the deadline.
At the same time, the existing requirements are broader than just the presence of a basement. The document provides for protective structures, temporary or permanent shelters, dual-purpose facilities, and properly equipped safe spaces.
Therefore, the formulation about mandatory closure of each café without a basement simplifies the meaning of the resolution. The crucial question is ensuring the protection of employees and visitors in accordance with established requirements.
Moreover, on October 29, the government already presented proposals for easing the rules. Among them is additional time to arrange protection, taking into account the number of people on the premises and the ability to use nearby shelters.
An official announcement about these proposals does not by itself replace the changes to the text of the resolution. Thus, the end date of the transitional period needs to be assessed according to the current version of the document.
Rules for businesses during alarms: what changes Zelensky proposes
The deputy stated that his team has prepared a draft resolution for the Verkhovna Rada demanding a review of the government's approach. According to him, the document has already been sent to colleagues for signature.
The proposal contains three main provisions:
- Businesses decide for themselves whether to continue working at a yellow threat level.
- An employee may go to a shelter if they consider remaining at the workplace dangerous.
- The enterprise is obliged to notify employees and visitors about the threat.
For the red level, Zelensky proposes to maintain the cessation of work and the transition of people to shelters. According to the government classification, the yellow level indicates a drone threat, while the red encompasses a missile, missile-drone, or mass drone threat.
The deputy's initiative does not currently change the obligations of employers. Even the adoption of a parliamentary appeal to the government does not itself rewrite the Cabinet's resolution: for this, a government decision is required.
The dispute concerns the conditions for continuing work, not the absence of danger during the yellow level. Air threats have already caused changes in subway movement and other disruptions, so the procedures for notifying and acting by personnel remain important, regardless of any further review of the rules.