In a special session on Tuesday, Polish deputies approved legislation needed to access EU funding designed to help the economy bounce back from the coronavirus crisis.
The bill, which caused divisions in Poland’s conservative ruling coalition, was opposed by most deputies from Solidarna Polska, a junior partner in government. The bill made it through the lower house with the support of some opposition lawmakers on the condition the government would take steps to monitor how EU funds are spent.
The legislation ultimately passed with the approval of 290 members of the Sejm, with 33 voting against and 133 abstaining. The bill is essential for Poland to receive over EUR 23 billion in subsidies and EUR 34 billion in loans from the European Union’s COVID-19 recovery fund.
EU member states in December gave the green light for the bloc to borrow EUR 750 billion (USD 906 billion) and provide a cash injection for economies left reeling by the coronavirus crisis. For the ambitious plan to be put into action, all 27 EU member states need to ratify a decision to increase the bloc’s resources.
Source: Radio Poland
Polish health officials have confirmed the presence of a new variant of coronavirus originating in India, with 16 cases confirmed in Poland as of yesterday.
According to Health Minister Adam Niedzielski, outbreaks of the new variant have been detected near Warsaw and also in Katowice. Health officials are warning that new coronavirus mutations could be a factor in triggering a fresh wave of infections.
In response, Niedzielski announced yesterday that anyone arriving in Poland from India, Brazil, or South Africa will now be required to go immediately into quarantine. In such cases, a negative COVID test performed within 48 hours of crossing the border cannot be used to shorten the obligatory quarantine period.
Poland on Tuesday reported 2,296 new coronavirus infections and 28 additional deaths, a marked drop from a peak of over 35,251 new single-day cases confirmed a month ago on April 1.
Poland has also been ramping up its vaccination efforts, with over 9 million first doses administered as of yesterday and almost 3 million people now fully inoculated.
Source: Radio Poland
On Tuesday, over 23,000 high school graduates in Pomerania started the annual month of assessments collectively known as the „Matura” exam.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this year’s exam is being held under a strict sanitary regime, including obligatory hand disinfection and 1.5 meters distance between students.
Yesterday was the obligatory Polish-language exam, which featured the essay „The Doll” by Bolesław Prus. As reported by Radio Gdańsk reporter Grzegorz Armatowski, who watched the final exams in the County School Complex No. 1 in Kościerzyna, most high school graduates left the exam rooms in a „good” or „very good” mood after being well-prepared for the material.
The Matura exam is a rite of passage in Poland and determines teenagers’ future to a large degree. Polish high school graduates must pass three obligatory written exams in Polish, mathematics, and a foreign language at the basic level. This year, due to COVID restrictions, students are exempt from the additional advanced exam on the subject of their choice, as well as the oral examinations in Polish and a foreign language.
More information on the exam schedule is available >>>HERE.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland
Radio Gdańsk has put up billboards in and around Pomerania as part of its new „Zawsze blisko ludzi” or „Always close to people” campaign.
Listeners are invited to send billboard photos via MMS to 603 06 06 06 or via personal message to Radio Gdańsk’s Facebook profile for a chance to be featured online and win a Radio Gdańsk mug.
The billboards are located all over Pomerania, including in Słupsk and Tczew, as well as on SKM and PKM trains. The contest will run from now through June, with full details available >>>HERE.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be partly cloudy and mild, with a strong breeze coming in from the southwest and a slight chance of rain later in the day. Temperatures will peak at a high of 13°C, or 56°F, dropping to a low of 5°C or 41°F overnight. Temperatures are expected to drop tomorrow and Friday, along with a chance for rain into Sunday.
Elizabeth Peck/mw
