Poland is set to downgrade its classification of its COVID-19 status from „state of pandemic” to „state of epidemic threat” from May 16th, the country’s health minister has announced.
Poland declared a state of epidemic on March 20, 2020, giving the government greater powers to introduce restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus. In late March this year, the country lifted the requirement for people to wear face masks in indoor spaces, and it also abolished COVID-19 isolation and quarantine rules for those sharing households with infected persons. Despite more than 3 million refugees entering the country from neighbouring Ukraine in recent weeks, the number of infections has not risen.
Source – Polskie Radio
Germany has not yet provided Ukraine with the promised Gepard tanks due to lack of ammunition, according to a report.
Germany was initially reluctant to supply Kyiv with heavy weaponry after Russia invaded the country in February. Yet amid open criticism from Central European partners and the displeasure of the German public, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government eventually made a U-turn. Sources in Ukraine say the equipment has not arrived yet citing issues with sourcing ammunition for the equipment. The ammunition is produced by a firm based in Switzerland, where there is a ban on exporting weapons to combat zones.
Source – Polskie Radio
Poland’s Central Bank has said it will keep raising interest rates until inflation subsides.
The bank’s chief was speaking after the Polish central bank’s Monetary Policy Council a day earlier raised key interest rates for the eighth consecutive time in a bid to tame surging consumer prices. Inflation in Poland hit 12.3 percent in April, its highest level since 1998. He told reporters on Friday that prices were growing mainly because of the war in neighbouring Ukraine. He said he expected inflation to peak next month or in July.
Source – Polskie Radio
And finally, an area of land next to the exclusive Gdynia Orłowo district, next to the pier, owned by the Gdynia city council has been sold to a private developer for the sum of PLN 23 million this week.
The two plots which cover an area of around 3700 square metres were once the site of the famed „Maxim” nightclub have been bought by Invest Komfort developer.
Source – Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be a day of sunny spells and scattered clouds in a moderate breeze with temperatures of 18 degrees centigrade (64 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 6 degrees overnight. Tomorrow will continue sunny with scattered clouds in a moderate breeze and temperatures of 14 degrees during the day and 3 degrees overnight.
Martin Caren
