In total, around 400 municipal and public buildings in Riga have been identified as potential shelters. The survey is still ongoing.
Riga's Deputy Mayor Linda Ozola (Code for Riga) said that there are plans to mark 134 municipally-owned sites with shelter signs in the near future.
"According to the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD), the municipality has at its disposal premises that can provide temporary shelter for up to 50,000 people in an emergency. At the same time, we are planning to approve later this year a real estate tax rebate mechanism for merchants who will be ready to apply and offer their premises as safe shelters, such as underground car parks, warehouses, and similar facilities," said Ozola.
Green signs will be installed at buildings whose basements and cellars have been assessed by the VUGD as fully or partially suitable for shelter purposes and will be publicly accessible during a threat.
These areas will not be open to the public on a daily basis.
