In other restrictions, primary and secondary schools will be conducting classes remotely from December 20 to January 9, and occupancy on busses, trams, and other forms of mass transit will be reduced to 75% capacity.
According to Health Minister Adam Niedzielski, the number of new cases has stabilized after restrictions were introduced last week, but rates are still at a “very worrying” level of around 23,000 new infections per day.
In addition to other “firm steps” to slow the spread of COVID-19, Niedzielski announced that as of March 1, 2022, vaccinations would be compulsory for medics, teachers, and “the uniformed services.” Niedzielski also said the government was working on a bill that would allow employers to ask their workers to show the results of COVID-19 tests and check their vaccination status.
Washington has accused Russia of massing troops near the border with Ukraine to intimidate an aspiring NATO member, suggesting it could be a repeat of Moscow’s 2014 seizure of Crimea. Biden reiterated U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to White House officials, and called for de-escalation and diplomacy.
A Ukrainian official said that Kyiv was grateful to Biden for his “unwavering support.” After the talks commenced, the US Congress released proposed legislation on defense spending, which includes USD 300 million for Ukraine’s military.
The Kremlin, which said before Tuesday’s meeting that it did not expect any breakthrough, has denied harboring any intentions to attack Ukraine and has said its troop posture is defensive.
Both sides reportedly agreed to continue contacts and directed their teams to consult on questions about Ukraine.
Since mid-August 2020, Poland has assisted some 21,000 Belarusian citizens facing persecution at home. The Belarusian regime’s brutal crackdown on opposition activists has followed autocratic leader Alexander Lukashenko’s widely discredited re-election in August last year.
The cribs will be on display as part of a special exhibition at the Historical Museum of Krakow until February 27, 2022. More information on the competition can be found online at the Museum of Krakow’s website at muzeumkrakowa.pl.
