Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak told reporters on Tuesday that, in addition to defending the Polish coast, the new ships would take part in NATO missions and constitute „a major force in the Baltic”.
He made the statement during his visit to Gdynia yesterday as he signed the deal with the producers—a domestic consortium made up of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and the Remontowa Shipyard.
Under the contract, the Polish Navy will be provided with three multi-role frigates called Miecznik (Swordfish), officials said.
Błaszczak told reporters that the government wants the first of these to be ready for service in four years. „This is an ambitious, but realizable goal”, he said.
The frigates will be built in local shipyards giving work to hundreds of cooperating firms, both public and private, with the aid of a foreign partner, according to officials.
Polskie Radio
Over 17.1 million Poles fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Over 33,m COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in Poland so far, including over 97,665 over the last 24 hours, officials announced yesterday.
Public health authorities admitted that a total of 13,686 adverse reactions were reported among those who received the vaccines so far. Unfortunately, over 161,000 doses have been wasted during the rollout.
More than 18.1 million people have received just their first dose, and over 17.1 million people have been fully vaccinated.
This includes double-dose vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca as well as Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot vaccine.
Yesterday, 138 new coronavirus infections and three more deaths related to COVID-19 were reported across the country, bringing the total number of cases in Poland during the pandemic to 2,882,465 with 75,252 fatalities.
Polskie Radio
No quarantine for fully jabbed US and EU travellers to England. People from the EU or US who have been fully vaccinated will not need to isolate when coming to England from an amber list country. The change will come into force at 04:00 BST on Monday.
Currently, only people who received their jab in the UK can avoid quarantine when arriving from amber list countries, except France.
The government said the rule change will help to reunite family and friends whose loved ones live abroad.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it will apply to people who have been fully vaccinated with a jab approved by the EU or US – although travellers will still need to take tests before they arrive and on the second day when they land.
It is not yet known whether other UK nations will adopt the same change. Earlier, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said talks on travel were taking place between the four nations.
The travel industry has been long pushing for the change in the rules in a bid to make it easier for tourists or those visiting relatives.
BBC
St. Dominic’s Fair News
This is the 761st St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdansk – a tradition that goes back to the 1300’s. Besides all the stalls, shows and food, you can also get vaccinated free of charge and without registering.
Already 260 people have been vaccinated at the Outdoor Vaccination Point, which has been operating since the first day of St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdańsk. It is even proving popular with residents of Gdańsk.
Throughout the duration of the fair, you can receive the Covid-19 vaccine without prior registration or making an appointment. This option is open to anyone over 18, regardless of where they live, all you need is identification documents such as a passport or ID.
We are pleasantly surprised by the turnout, says Katarzyna Brożek, spokesperson for Copernicus Healthcare. On Saturday, 62 people were vaccinated , Sunday 95 and on Monday 103. People seem to like combining a stroll around the market with the possibility of having a vaccine.
St. Dominic’s Fair is open every day until August 15th
Gdansk.pl
The weather
Expect warm sunny weather today with temperatures reaching 28O C, 82O F . Scattered showers are expected later this afternoon but should clear before sunset. Tomorrow will be a beautiful, sunny day. Perfect for that sea trip or a day on the beach. Temperatures very similar to today but with no rainfall. The UV index is very high – so keep protected.
Enjoy your stay and remember to tune into the Radio Gdansk English Service on digital DAB and on radiogdansk.pl/English Service.
RGEN/AG
