Riga, Nov 26 (LETA) - Only about a third of the population in Daugavpils could be accommodated in shelters if necessary, Karlis Rasis, deputy executive director of the municipality, told reporters on Tuesday.

He explained that all basements in the city owned by the municipality or the state have been inspected. A total of 176 properties have been inspected, of which nine meet the shelter requirements and 44 partially meet the requirements. This means that 30 percent of the population will have access to shelters if needed.

Rasis said that in the near future, when the State Fire and Rescue Service will hand over the signs for the shelters to the municipality, the municipality will promptly install them.

"Businesses can apply to have their premises designated as shelters, there are no legal barriers to this," informed the municipality's spokesperson, while adding that in such a case these premises will have to be made available for public use.

As reported, according to a government decision, ministries and municipalities have until the beginning of December to put up signs to mark the shelters.