British drugmaker AstraZeneca has joined rival companies Pfizer and Moderna in publishing successful pivotal trial data for its COVID-19 vaccine, giving the world’s fight against the pandemic a third new weapon. At the same time, the European Medicines Agency has announced that a scientific opinion on COVID-19 vaccines could be completed by the end of the year, a crucial step on the path to a potential rollout of the vaccine. In response, the Polish government has outlined a vaccination plan to be put into operation as soon as the vaccines become available.
Earlier this week, Polish officials speculated that Poland could realistically launch an anti-coronavirus vaccination program as early as the second half of January. First in line for the vaccinations would be high-risk groups such as the elderly and those with reduced immunity, along with essential workers, including the police and those in healthcare.
Source: Radio Poland
Poles urged to observe holidays at home
While COVID rates have been dropping slightly over the last few days, Poles are being urged to plan on staying at home this Christmas rather than visiting family members.
Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska indicated on Monday that the government may bring in new rules restricting Poles from visiting their extended families at Christmas — a move he acknowledged could potentially cause „heartache.”
Current government restrictions would allow up to five people, excluding family members living together, to participate in the traditional Wigilia meal on December 24.
Government officials stress that one person with COVID-19 could infect the rest of his or her family, and the act of simply staying home for the holidays may help „avoid the deaths of thousands of people.”
Yesterday Poland reported 10,139 new coronavirus infections and 540 more deaths, bringing the total number of cases in Poland to 909,066 and deaths to over 14,300 (14,314), based on revised data.
Source: Radio Poland
Ski slopes in Poland allowed to open despite pandemic
Despite the ongoing lockdown restrictions, it was announced yesterday that Poland’s ski slopes would be allowed to open this winter after new rules to keep skiers safe amid an epidemic were ironed out.
Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Gowin, who is also the Minister of Development, Labor, and Technology, made the announcement yesterday after meeting with ski industry representatives on Monday.
As government spokesman Piotr Muller noted, hotels and restaurants near Polish ski resorts will remain closed for now, per ongoing lockdown restrictions extended last week.
As explained by Muller, the move ensures that „ski lifts will be open, but the people using them will be those who live closer [to the slopes], because accommodation facilities will be closed.”
Source: Radio Poland
Shakespeare Festival continues with „Hamlet” tonight
The 24th annual Gdańsk Shakespeare Festival continues online tonight with a contemporary adaptation of „Hamlet” streaming live from the Teatro Verdi in Pisa.
Tonight’s performance features dancers from the award-winning imPerfect Dancers Company accompanied by a score mixing classical elements of Vivaldi with the modern compositions of Max Richter and Philip Glass.
The performance of Hamlet at 19:00 will be preceded by an avant-garde ShakespeareOFF performance by Warsaw-based performance artist Bartłomiej Gąsior at 17:00. Both events are available to watch online, free of charge, after registering at http://vod.teatrszekspirowski.pl.
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy and cold, with a mild breeze coming in from the southwest and very little chance of rain. Temperatures will peak around a high of 6°C, or 43°F, dropping to a chilly overnight low of 0°C or 32°F. Similar weather is expected tomorrow, with a slight chance of rain overnight.
Elizabeth Peck/pb
