Poland implements new COVID-19 rules to guard against omicron | Pole among sailors kidnapped by pirates in West Africa | Polish forces rescue stranded migrants at Belarus border | Traffic police escort sick girl to hospital

The Polish government has reintroduced stricter covid rules as the country faces another hike in Covid rates as a result of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus. As of Wednesday, people living with someone who has COVID-19 will have to self-isolate unless they test negatively for the virus. Discos, nightclubs and other dance facilities, except dance sport clubs, will also be closed until further notice. Other entertainment and leisure centres are allowed to admit no more than 100 people at a time until January 31st. Entertainment and eating venues will see their capacities reduced from 50 percent to 30 percent. This limit does not include vaccinated people provided that the owners check customers for COVID-19 certificates. Eating and drinking is banned in cinemas. In addition, the rules for wearing face masks is likely to be more strictly enforced.

Source – Polskie Radio

A Polish citizen is among a number of sailors who have been kidnapped by pirates who boarded the container ship they were crewing as it sailed through the Gulf of Guinea this week, off the west coast of Africa.

The Polish foreign ministry said it had appointed a crisis team „to coordinate efforts” in contact with the owner of the Tonsberg ship and the governments of several African countries. According to the International Maritime Bureau, all but five of the 135 sailors who were victims of kidnappings last year were abducted in the Gulf of Guinea.

Source – Polskie Radio

Polish forces have rescued a number of migrants who had become stuck in a swampy area on the border between Belarus and Poland on Tuesday.

The Polish border guard along with firefighters and members of the country’s territorial army rescued four illegal migrants from Syria in an operation that lasted several hours. The migrants were found in the extensive wetlands thanks to an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Source – Polskie Radio

And finally, Gdańsk traffic police helped escort a 1 1/2 year old girl to hospital after she swallowed washing tablets requiring immediate medical attention.

The girl was in her father’s car as he ferried her to the hospital as every minuted counted, escorted by police from the „speed” specialised traffic unit. Thanks to the quick actions of the parents and police the girl was treated swiftly and has now recovered from her ordeal.

Source – Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be a cloudy and mild day with sunny intervals in a fresh breeze and temperatures of 8 degree centigrade (48 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, dropping to 1 degree overnight. Tomorrow should be a sunny day in a moderate breeze and temperatures of 6 degrees during the day and 0 degrees overnight.
That was the Radio Gdańsk English news and weather.