The Polish government has announced it will triple the number of people permitted at weddings and public gatherings as part of the next step in easing Covid-19 control measures.
From Sunday, up to 150 people will be able to gather at ceremonies including weddings, communions, funerals, and group celebrations.
Importantly, fully vaccinated people will not count towards that limit.
The number of people allowed at conferences and trade fairs will also be increased, with 1 person per 15 square metres of floor space at the venue, and passenger limits on public transport will be raised to 75% of capacity.
The announcement comes as the daily count of new Covid-19 cases fell below 1000 for the sixth consecutive day, with 664 confirmed cases, including 27 in Pomerania.
In related news, fully vaccinated people can now receive the EU Digital Covid Certificate. The certificate is available free of charge via the government’s Pacjent.gov.pl portal. The card serves as an internationally recognised proof of vaccination for travellers and could help to make holidays abroad possible this summer. According to Health Minister Adam Niedzielski, more than 400,000 certificates were claimed within just hours of its launch.
Ministry of Health Information Film: here.
Three ethnic Poles living in Belarus who were imprisoned by the country’s regime have been freed and are now in Poland.
The three members of Belarus’s Polish ethnic minority had been imprisoned in the country for their criticism of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Belarus’s Polish minority have faced persecution by the regime in recent months, with many members of the community still imprisoned including Andżelika Borys, the head of the association of Poles in Belarus.
It’s part of a wider crackdown on opposition following widespread protests in the country after last year’s presidential election, which opponents claim President Lukashenko rigged.
Sports News
All eyes are on the French Open today as Poland’s women continue to move forward in the competition.
Tennis super-star Iga Świątek and her American doubles partner Bethanie Mattek saw off a French duo yesterday to secure their place in the second round of the doubles competition.
In the Women’s singles, Świątek is set to face Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson this afternoon while Poland’s Magda Linette is facing Australia’s Ashleigh Barty – the current world No. 1 in women’s singles.
In football news, Poland and Russia ended the day in a 1-1 draw yesterday at a friendly match in Wrocław.
The Poles got off to a very early lead with a goal by Jakub Świerczok just four minutes in.
The Russians were quick to respond, though, with Vyacheslav Karavaev equalising just minutes later.
The remainder of the match played out largely neck and neck, with neither side finding a weakness in the other.
The match comes as a warm-up ahead of the Euro 2020 competition set to get underway later this month.
Poland are next set to face Iceland next week on Monday, with their first Euros match set for June 14th against Slovakia.
June 3rd this year marks the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi – „Boże Ciało” in Polish.
The festival, which changes date yearly but always falls 60 days after Easter, celebrates the tradition of the Eucharist and the belief that bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
The feast is a public holiday in Poland, and for many marks the start of a long weekend.
For many Catholics, the day is marked by a procession through town, singing and praying at shrines. For others, the day off is simply a chance to rest and enjoy the first days of summer.
Here in Gdansk, processions are taking place around the city, with the largest one going ahead in the old town after a mass at St Mary’s Basilica this morning.
Weather
Whether you’re joining the procession or just enjoying the day off, it’s looking like a beautiful day – partly cloudy with some sunshine and temperatures just reaching 20°C, 68°F.
UV index reaching 6 today, that’s 'high’ so be sure to use sunscreen or cover up if you’re spending the day outside.
TH/am
