First today, we go to the United States where Vice President Mike Pence has warned that the country’s Covid-19 epidemic appears to be on the same trajectory as Italy’s.
The US currently has the most cases of any country in the world, though Italy and Spain have seen more deaths so far.
Speaking at a press conference at the White House yesterday, the Vice President told reporters that the outbreak in the US was „most comparable” to Italy, the world’s worst affected country.
At the same conference, the White House announced that in a „best-case scenario”, 100,000 to 240,000 deaths could be expected but that without social distancing measures the death toll would be in the millions.
The US yesterday surpassed 200,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 5000 deaths.
Eurostat: Polish unemployment at >3% in February ahead of Coronavirus epidemic
In Poland, new figures from Eurostat show unemployment in February stood at 2.9%, the second lowest rate in the European Union. The Czech Republic boasts the lowest, at 2%, and Poland is tied with the Netherlands for second place.
However, new forecasts from the Polish government predict a significant increase in wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. Speaking to Polish Radio, Family and Labour minister Marlena Malag said the government was predicting up to 1.4 million unemployed by year’s end, compared to government estimates of 921,000 currently.
The Polish parliament this week approved unprecedented new measures to mitigate some of the economic impact.
Gdansk introduces joint public transport ticket but raises fares
Here in Gdansk, there are big changes on public transport this week as ticket reforms come into force. The biggest change is the introduction of a joint monthly ticket covering all public transport providers in the city, including Gdansk trams and buses, SKM and PKM trains, as well as regional rail services within the city limits.
The ticket is only available to holders of the Gdansk Resident Card and costs 99zł.
Also, night tickets have been abolished and prices will be the same throughout the day and night.
Fares have been raised slightly though: a signal journey ticket now costs 3.80zl and a 1-hour ticket costs 4.40zl. It’ll also no longer be possible to buy a single ticket from the driver of a bus or tram with tickets instead being sold in bunches.
Ambassadors to UK/US nationals: last flights out of Poland leave this weekend
And lastly today, ambassadors from the UK and the US are strongly advising any British or American citizens wishing to leave Poland to do so this week or prepare to remain in the country indefinitely.
The last scheduled flights from Warsaw to the UK leave this Sunday and last flights to the US will leave Saturday.
These are the last flights for the foreseeable future. Online booking isn’t available and anyone interested should contact their embassy directly.
Other countries have similar warnings in place.
UK Nationals:
https://lotairlinesinfo.britishembassy.pl/
US Nationals:
Email WarsawUSCitizen@state.gov
Weather
Remaining mostly cloudy throughout today with temperatures around 8°C, 47°F.
A chance of some rain overnight but it’s looking like a sunnier start to tomorrow with moderate gusty winds from the west.
Thomas Holdstock/ako
