All units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are preparing to ensure public safety during the May holidays, - Serhii Yarovyi. First Deputy of Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Serhii Yarovyi claimed during the conference call.

"Starting from May 1, Ukraine will have long holidays and memorable dates: May 1, Easter, which falls on May 2, May 8 - Remembrance and Reconciliation Day, May 9 - Victory Day over Nazism, and long weekends. In addition, on May 2 we will honor the victims of the tragic events in the city of Odesa. Therefore, all units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs must be ready to ensure public safety and order in the first decade of May. Of course, we must not forget about the ongoing quarantine restrictions," he said.

Serhii Yarovyi stressed that the leaders in the regions should get acquainted with the operational situation in the regions, as well as calculate how many personnel will be involved. Organize the work of operational headquarters, which should include representatives of the National Police, the National Guard, the State Emergency Service, and the State Border Guard Service.

Serhii Yarovyi stressed that according to preliminary information, more than 13,000 churches will operate throughout the country, and about 1 million people are expected to take part in religious events.

Also during the May holidays and events, the aviation units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system take over the duty. It should be noted that on Easter holidays more than 20 thousand policemen, 1.3 thousand guardsmen, 4.7 thousand rescuers, and 900 cadets will be involved in ensuring public order and security.

First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Serhii Yarovyi said that all local leaders should promptly respond to any changes in the situation.

"I also draw your attention to the fact that all changes in the current situation must be promptly informed to citizens. Also, inspect all religious buildings in advance to ensure public order and fire safety. During religious holidays, dialogue police should work at the sites of consecration, which will remind citizens of the necessary quarantine restrictions and observance of social distance," Serhii Yarovyi said.

The Head of the National Police, Ihor Klymenko, noted that starting at 9 pm on May 1, worship services will be held in religious buildings on the occasion of Easter. The police have already developed and approved an operational plan and calculation of forces and means. The maximum number of police officers, National Guard servicemen, and rescuers will be involved in ensuring law and order.

"I urge police officers to act tolerantly, first of all, we carry out preventive work. The situation center is working, I am on the spot and all misunderstandings should flow to Kyiv. In order to be able to stop the development of the conflict situation at the highest level.

In the premises of temples, it is necessary to separate citizens from a distance of one and a half meters, one citizen per 4 square meters. Also, the distance must be ensured during the consecration of baskets and processions of the cross in case of their holding. Unconditional conditions are the wearing of protective masks by parishioners in both inside religious buildings and near them during rites. Attention should be paid to the restriction of such religious rites as the veneration icons, anointing, and Holy Communion. The heads of the main departments should monitor the divisions into red and orange zones, taking into account which zone your region is located in, ensure quarantine restrictions,” he said.

At the same time, Ihor Klymenko stressed that May 1 is Labor Day. On this day, trade unions are traditionally active. Thematic actions can be carried out across all territories of our state. Ensure monitoring of activities by heads of main departments.

NGU Commander Mykola Balan said that the National Guard was ready to move to an enhanced version of service.

Since May 1, in order to ensure the protection of public order, the daily involvement of more than 3.5 thousand military personnel, 120 auto patrols, and more than 60 patrols with service dogs has been established. NGU servicemen, together with the police, are also carrying out quarantine measures. Also, the Guards continue to serve in the area of Joint Forces Operation," Mykola Balan said.

The Head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Serhii Daineko noted that on the eve of the holidays the SBGS units took additional measures to protect the state border.

"The situation at the state border is stable and controlled. However, SBGS units are ready for the aggravation of the situation on the border with Russia, combat reserves are kept in readiness, and intelligence and search units have been activated. And also measures are being taken to prevent persons and representatives of the special services of the Russian Federation, who are planning to carry out destabilizing measures, from entering Ukraine,” Serhii Daineko said.

The Head of the SES, Mykola Chechotkin, said that about 7,000 personnel and 2,000 units of rescue and special equipment, as well as pyrotechnics crews and 8 aircraft, would be on duty in the SES system.

"In case of complication of the situation, the number of personnel and equipment can be doubled. Work with all authorities was also organized, all religious buildings were inspected, and the inspection staff conducted fire briefings with the clergy,” he said.

Department of Communication of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine