The Polish government has announced some lockdown measures will be lifted next week as the country returns to a localised system of restrictions.

From Monday, hair and beauty salons will reopen in most of the country and younger children in most provinces, including Pomerania, will return to school

The changes will not apply to the south-western provinces of Greater Poland, Lodz, Opole, Silesia, and Lower Silesia, where infection rates remain above 35 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

It’s part of a return to a regionalised system of restrictions revealed by Health Minister Adam Niedzielski on Wednesday. Announcing the change, Mr Niedzielski said infection rates in most provinces were now at a level where restrictions could be cautiously relaxed.

A province-by-province traffic light system was previously in place in February and March but was scrapped as the country went into nationwide restrictions on March 27th.

Starting Monday, school years 1-3 will return to 'hybrid learning’, with some classes being held online with others taking place in-school.

Hairdressers and other beauty industry businesses will also be able to reopen under strict sanitary measures.

In other pandemic news, India yesterday reported the largest daily increase in cases of any country since the pandemic began, with more than 300,000 new cases in the space of 24 hours. Healthcare services in the country are reported to be at breaking point.

In Russia, thousands took to the streets on Wednesday to demonstrate in support of imprisoned opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

Large crowds were seen in major cities around Russia, including the capital Moscow. Defying a government ban, the crowds marched through the streets demanding Navalny’s release.

Mr Navalny, aged 44, has been in prison since February when he returned to the country after medical treatment in Germany for poisoning. Navalny accuses the Russian government of ordering the poisoning, a claim supported by many western governments including Poland.

Navalny’s health has reportedly deteriorated while in prison and his supporters claim he is not receiving adequate medical treatment.

According to reports by the BBC, Police have said Wednesday’s protests involved at least 14,000 people across 29 cities and monitoring group OVD-info have claimed more than 1,000 have been arrested.

A new documentary film about a Tajik journalist living Gdansk is premiering today.

„Z Tadżykistanu do Gdańska”, or „From Tajikistan to Gdansk”, tells the story of Khairullo Mirsaidov – an independent journalist who fled his native land after facing prosecution and threat of imprisonment for his work.

Mirsaidov came to Gdansk as part of the International Cities of Refuge Network – a programme in which journalists can seek safety from persecution.

Z Tadżykistanu do Gdańska is premiering today at noon on the Gdańska Galeria Miejska YouTube channel, where it will be available to watch for free.

April 22nd marks World Earth Day.

Celebrated since 1970, Earth Day aims to encourage environmental protection and care for the natural world.

To mark the day, activities are taking place across the city including a big park clean-up in the area around Gdansk Polytechnic University. Organised by the university’s Department for International Academic Cooperation, the clean-up is open to all and is scheduled to go in to 2pm in the forests around Student Dormitory No. 2 on Traugutta street.

Weather

Mostly cloudy this afternoon with highs of 8C, 47F, and a slight chance of some showers throughout the afternoon.

Tomorrow looking brighter with showers likely early in the morning.

Thomas Holdstock