A tender for a new electric city bike is to be announced in February. The city plans that if all goes well, there will be 1000 bicycles at 100 stations available for residents already around the holidays. These are also to be located on the periphery and in less urbanized neighborhoods. The new municipal electrics are to be access function to means of public collective transport.
A tender for electric bikes is up!
“We will announce the tender in February. To start with, we want a thousand bikes. The inhabitants do not massively use and do not know electric bikes, so we want to distribute them. That is why we do not go straight to the level of three thousand bikes. We will be the first city in Poland to offer an electric city bike” – says Łukasz Franek, director of the Public Transport Authority (ZTP).
A new system – lease for min 4 years
The new system of the Krakow city bike (there is no official name yet) works differently from the Wavelo system, where the costs of the system, but also the income, were on the operator’s side. Now, Krakow wants to have a service, at least for 4 years, for which it will pay, as it pays MPK and Mobillis for transport services.
The costs behind it
What costs are we talking about? ZTP estimates that it will be approx. PLN 5-7 million per year. For the implementation of the bicycle policy, including the city bicycle system in Krakow, in 2021 the city budget has allocated less than PLN 10 million.
“The interested companies declare that they are able to prepare the system in 3 months. Theoretically, the bike could be available during the holidays, I do not want to declare it. The situation is what it is. It may turn out that there are no bikes or companies will miss financially. You also have to take into account appeals from the tender” – emphasizes Łukasz Franek.
1000 bicycles at 100 stations, including a lot on the outskirts
ZTP officials assume that the basic function of the new city bike will be the function of accessing public means of collective transport. In addition, the electric bicycle is to play an important communication function in the more peripheral, less urbanized regions of Krakow. Initially, there will be about 100 stations (10 bikes for each station) and they are to be evenly distributed throughout the city. Thus, there will be less accumulation of stations in the very center of Krakow.
Hubs outside of the city + on the outskirts
The stations would appear, among others in such locations as Tyniec or the area of ul. Klasztorna. It is also about places where there is a bicycle infrastructure, there are paths for bicycles, thanks to which you can cover longer distances on electrics, up to 10-15 km. For now, it remains unknown how much the residents will pay for the new city bike, whether it will be somehow related to the public transport ticket tariff, etc.
“If we were to make an ordinary bicycle, we can repeat the Wavelo model, but here we want flexibility, where the stations are integrated with public transport, where it is possible to change and correct it” – adds Łukasz Franek.
Wavelo bikes left Krakow
Let us remind you that Wavelo has been operating in Krakow since 2016. It was very popular among residents and tourists. The Krakow authorities have signed a contract with BikeU to run a city bike rental facility for as many as eight years, until 2024. As part of it, BikeU provided residents with up to 1500 bicycles available at one time at 168 stations located throughout the city.
The Krakow city bike solution was quite innovative, because all costs and responsibility for the system were borne by the concessionaire, i.e. BikeU. The city paid only PLN 1 month for each bike, i.e. PLN 1,500. In addition, the city got 1 percent. loan receipts.
At the end of 2019, however, the BikeU company suddenly submitted a letter to the Krakow City Hall terminating the contract for running the Wavelo bicycle rental. More Wavelo two-wheelers began to disappear from Krakow. Ultimately, it happened at the beginning of 2020.
“We are winning the Friend of Krakow Badge” – is a campaign organized by the Grodzkie PTTK Society in Krakow. Currently, the 49th season of this campaign is underway – this time, however, unusual, because due to the epidemic, it takes the form of free, open online meetings, broadcast live on YouTube.
Who wants to earn a “Friend of Krakow” badge?
The general principles of the campaign are such that the Friend of Krakow badge can be obtained by anyone who participates in a certain number of lectures and walks around Krakow. Depending on the number of such meetings, a person can count on a bronze, silver, gold, or peacock badge.
Currently, due to restrictions related to the epidemic, walks are suspended, and meetings are only held online. They started in November and are planned until March, and are run by licensed city guides of PTTK in Krakow and museum staff.
What can you learn during these walks/sessions?
So far, several dozen online meetings have been held as part of the PTTK campaign “We are winning the Friend of Krakow Badge”. Their participants had the opportunity to listen to stories, for example, about the literary Krakow, the secrets of Długa Street, the Rakowicki cemetery, the defense of Krakow in the past centuries, about famous Krakow families, monasteries and monasteries, about lost churches or about old and modern Krakow libraries, city villas and palaces, theaters and cabarets, the Planty Park in Krakow, and the history and monuments of Podgórze.
The sessions on February 6th and 7th
This weekend, PTTK meetings also promise to be very interesting, so it’s worth making a reservation to take part in them. On Saturday, February 6, lectures on “Secrets of Krupnicza Street” (9:30) and “Krakow Synagogues” (11:30) are scheduled. However, on Sunday, February 7 at At 9:30 am there will be a meeting “Non-obvious Krakow. On the trail of Krakow artists’, and at 11:30 – lecture by the Society of Krakow History and Monuments Lovers “Krakow at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries” – for people who receive the “Pawim Piór” badge (the Peacock Badge).
Practical Information for the meetings
To take part in the walks as part of the campaign, it is enough to report to the meeting point specified in the program. Participation in the walks is free.
In the case of topics described under the slogan ” seat reservation “, you should contact the Grodzki PTTK Society in advance to download the “seat reservation ” – with the given time of entry. Seats result from the limitation of the number and size of groups in some visited facilities. Seats are issued against payment – the price includes an admission ticket to the visited facility and the VAT due.
A press conference with the participation of, among others, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski took place today. The next stage of easing the restrictions introduced in connection with the coronavirus pandemic has been announced. From February 12, cinemas and theaters will be opened (up to 50% of seats will be occupied). Hotels may also be opened with the same restrictions. But this is not the end. “Also from February 12 we open sport outside, i.e. pitches, courts, slopes” – announced Deputy Prime Minister Piotr Gliński.
“Throughout the week we listened to the voices of experts, the economic sector, etc. We are dealing with the stabilization of the pandemic situation, new cases of infections, but at the same time, the number of deaths is still very large. Therefore, it can be called fragile stabilization”, emphasizes Prime Minister Morawiecki.
In addition to cinemas and theaters, other cultural institutions will also be open from February 12 – Opera houses and Philharmonics
They are still closed, however, restaurants and gyms.
Here is the list of changes from February 12:
Hotels will be opened (up to 50% occupancy)
Cinemas, theaters, philharmonics, and operas will be opened up to 50% of the occupancy
Outdoor playgrounds, tennis courts, and ski slopes will be opened
Indoor pools will be opened
Restaurants, gyms, and fitness clubs will still be closed
What can Poles expect?
“There is no shortage of suggestions that it is the hotels (under strict sanitary regime) that will open after February 14th. On Thursday, the head of the PiS Executive Committee, Krzysztof Sobolewski, also spoke about this on Radio ZET. In his opinion, the hotels may be opened on Valentine’s Day” – Radio ZET informed.
“Hotels could start operating under strict sanitary regime “.” We are also analyzing the situation related to other industries. It is possible that MRPiT will also recommend other easing to the Council of Ministers in the near future “
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Development, Labor and Technology Jarosław Gowin
Let us remind you that shopping malls have been fully open for several days, including museums. They have liquidated the so-called hours for seniors (inside the stores – between 10 am and 12).
The epidemiological situation in Poland
6,496 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed on February 4 by the Ministry of Health. Most of the province Masovian (960). In turn, from the province Małopolskiego 272. Another 84 people died in the whole country due to COVID-19, while 360 people died due to the coexistence of COVID-19 with other diseases.
Closed borders, including Norway and Great Britain, restrictions on flights to most countries – all this had an impact on the January result of the Balice airport near Krakow. Throughout the month, only 54,353 passengers used Kraków Airport services, i.e. 91% less than in January 2020. At that time, despite the disturbing news about Covid-19 coming from China and the first steps to increase security taken by the authorities of the largest Polish regional airport, it was still on a rising wave. Everything collapsed in mid-March 2020, and to this day a significant part of the old movement has not been rebuilt. The main reason is the restrictions imposed by the governments of most countries in response to the second wave of the pandemic, much more severe than the first.
Adjusting to a new normality
In previous years, in January, Kraków Airport passengers were very eager to use air services when going for a winter break. This year everything has changed. Passengers are required to follow sanitary rules in the countries they travel to, and airports are adjusting the infrastructure to the new guidelines
Radosław Włoszek, president of Kraków Airport
He assures that the priority for the Krakow airport has always been and will always be the passenger, his comfort and safety.
“It is also very important to react quickly to changing travel rules to individual countries, which is why we introduced the possibility of performing antigen tests at such a rapid pace in front of the Kraków Airport terminal, when such tests began to be required on flights to the Netherlands, due to the decision of the authorities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands” – adds Radosław Włoszek.
Black trend: airports are in the grip of restrictions and bans
The January collapse is a continuation of the black trend that started after last year’s relatively successful (for a pandemic) summer vacation. Successive governments introduced numerous restrictions in October in response to a repeated attack of the coronavirus, a significant increase in morbidity and mortality, and then also due to new mutations (including in the UK). As a result, the airport in Krakow-Balice in December 2020 handled only 76,469 passengers, i.e. by as much as 89 percent. less than in pre-pandemic December 2019.
How did 2020 look for Krakow Airport?
Throughout 2020, Kraków Airport handled 2,592,972 passengers, i.e. over 5.8 million less than in the record-breaking 2019. By far the highest was traffic in January, February and until mid-March (i.e. before the first wave of the pandemic and the introduction of restrictions), and also in summer. The end of the year was clearly spoiled by the ban on flights from Great Britain introduced by the Polish government – about 3rd of all passengers fly to the Islands at the Krakow airport. However, the key airlines did not completely suspend connections in this direction: from Great Britain, planes arrive empty, return full of Lesser Poland, returning to their British homes, and/or work.
Moderate optimism: vaccinations will unlock airports in the second half of the year?
According to analyzes of the aviation market, in 2021 we can expect 4,250,645 passengers at Kraków Airport, i.e. almost two times less than in the record-breaking year 2019, but 2 million more than in the pandemic 2020.“Independent research by aviation organizations such as IATA whether the ACI confirm that passengers will want to travel by air after the pandemic has calmed down. Common international policy and regulations in the field of opening borders for air travel are to guarantee this forecast” – says Radosław Włoszek, president of Kraków Airport, hopefully.
Coronavirus does not stop Polish investments
The activities of the entire industry ensuring travel safety, including sanitation, are aimed at developing uniform standards that will allow the reconstruction of the air transport market and tourism after the pandemic period. A prerequisite, however, is the full or partial opening of the tourism industry, as well as the effective dissemination of the vaccine
Andrzej Adamczyk, Minister of Infrastructure, during the January meeting summarizing 2020
“Coronavirus does not stop Polish investments – this applies to roads, railways, and airports. Kraków Airport presents ambitious plans for the future. This is an opportunity for a further dynamic development of this airport, and with it of the entire region“, added the minister.
2021 will be a time of even greater challenges: rebuilding confidence in air travel and rebuilding the airport’s potential. The consistent implementation of the Investment Plan for the coming years will also help in this, said Radosław Włoszek, president of Kraków Airport.
Even higher safety standards at the Krakow airport
Kraków Airport has introduced another modern solution to increase travel safety during a pandemic. The containers used by passengers during security checks and also placed at check-in desks have been coated with TitanSolid, which destroys the human coronavirus and other viruses and bacteria. The Krakow airport is another entity in the transport industry that uses this sanitary method.
TitanSolid is a disinfecting coating that activates when exposed to natural or artificial light. It was developed by the Polish company Lumichem in cooperation with university scientists. The coating in a continuous system removes all microorganisms, thanks to which the surface covered with it becomes microbiologically clean. Its effectiveness is confirmed by certificates and research, including the latest – towards the removal of the human coronavirus.
Original article, in Polish language, can be found in Gazeta Krakowska.
The government has adopted a draft amendment to the provisions on mobility, including electric scooters. Their users are waiting for big changes. The so-called arbitrary regulations contained in the draft act prohibit, inter alia, transporting other people on a scooter (which was often visible on the streets of Krakow) and leaving electric scooters and personal transport devices on the pavement other than parallel to its outer edge.
The Road Traffic Act prepared the draft
The Council of Ministers adopted the draft amendment to the Road Traffic Act prepared by the Minister of Infrastructure. The draft regulates the legal status of electrically powered devices (including scooters) and muscle powered devices intended for use on public roads.
Finally: Pedestrian Priority!!!
The project introduces pedestrian priority over an electric scooter or UTO driver moving on a part of the infrastructure intended for pedestrian traffic. The new regulations also prohibit, inter alia, leaving electric and UTO scooters on the pavement other than parallel to its outer edge.
Until now, the legal status of electric scooters and personal transport devices has remained unregulated. This created a real safety risk on roads and sidewalks. That is why we have prepared solutions that will increase the safety, in particular of the least protected road users
Minister of Infrastructure – Andrzej Adamczyk
What new things does the regulation bring?
The regulations contained in the draft act prohibit, among others:
driving the electric scooter on a road with a speed limit greater than 30 km / h,
driving a scooter or a personal transport device to a person under the influence of alcohol or alcohol or something similar to alcohol,
transporting other people, animals, and objects with an electric scooter and personal transport device,
pulling or towing other vehicles with an electric scooter and personal transport device,
leaving electric scooters and personal transport devices on the pavement other than parallel to its outer edge
What is defined as an electric scooter?
The draft act defines an electric scooter as an electrically powered, two-axle vehicle with a steering wheel, without a seat and pedals, and designed to be driven only by a rider on that vehicle. The driver of an electric scooter is obliged to use a bicycle lane or a bicycle lane if they are designated for the direction in which he is moving or intends to turn – with a speed limit of 20 km / h.
In addition, he is obliged to use the road on which vehicle traffic is allowed at a speed of not more than 30 km / h, if there is no separate road for bicycles and a lane for bicycles – with the permissible speed of 20 km / h. The driver may exceptionally move along a pavement or a pedestrian road when the pavement is located along a road where traffic is allowed at speeds greater than 30 km / h and there is no dedicated cycle path and a cycle lane – with the following rules: driving with speed close to the speed of a pedestrian, taking special care, giving way to pedestrians and not obstructing pedestrian traffic.
Who can drive an electric scooter?
To drive an electric scooter by people from 10 to 18 years of age, it will be required to have the same qualifications as for cycling, i.e. a bicycle card or driving license of categories AM, A1, B1, or T. For people over 18 years of age, such a document is not required.
Moving the electric scooter on a public road by a child under 10 years of age is prohibited in any situation, also under the supervision of an adult. Children up to 10 years of age will be able to ride the electric scooter only in the residential area, under the supervision of an adult.
Personal transport devices – UTO
A personal transport device is an electrically powered vehicle, without a seat and pedals, designed to be moved only by the rider on that vehicle (e.g. electric skateboard, electric self-leveling device).
The driver of a personal transport device is obliged to use a cycle path, if it is designated for the direction in which it is moving or intends to turn – with a speed limit of 20 km / h. It may exceptionally move along a sidewalk or a pedestrian road, in the absence of a cycle path, with the following rules: driving at a speed close to the speed of a pedestrian, special caution, giving way to pedestrians and not obstructing pedestrian traffic.
What is forbidden in regards to a UTO?
Moving the personal transport device on public roads by a child under 10 years of age is forbidden in any situation, also under the supervision of an adult. Children up to 10 years of age will be able to use a personal transport device only in the residential area under the supervision of an adult.
To drive a personal transport device by people aged 10 to 18, it will be required to have the same qualifications as in the case of cycling, i.e. a bicycle card or driving license of category AM, A1, B1 or T. For people over 18 years of age such document is not required.
Movement aids
It is a device or sports and recreational equipment designed to move in a standing position, powered by muscles (e.g. roller skates, roller skates, skateboard). A person using this type of device will be able to move on a bicycle path (without speed limit) or on a sidewalk and pedestrian path, with the following rules: driving at a speed close to the speed of a pedestrian, taking special care, giving way to pedestrians and not obstructing traffic pedestrian. Moving a device supporting movement powered by muscles does not require any permission and is allowed without age restrictions.
Electric scooters can not be parked everywhere
The bill introduces the obligation to leave, inter alia, an electric scooter on the pavement in a designated place (designated by the road administrator). In the absence of such a place, leaving the vehicle on the pavement will be possible only under the following conditions:
the electric scooter will be positioned as close as possible to the outer edge of the pavement, the farthest from the road,
the electric scooter will be placed parallel to the edge of the pavement,
the width of the sidewalk left for pedestrians’ traffic is such that it will not hinder their traffic and is not less than 1.5 m.
Electric scooters or personal transport devices can be removed from the road at the owner’s expense, incl. in the case of leaving them in a place where it is forbidden and obstructs movement or otherwise endangers safety. The order to remove the vehicle from the road may be issued by a policeman or a municipal (city) guard.
New regulations – new obligations
The draft provides for penalties for the movement of an electric scooter or personal transport device driver, or a person moving with a sidewalk or pedestrian assist device at a speed greater than a speed close to pedestrian speed, or for failing to give way to a pedestrian. Therefore, the draft act introduces changes to the act – Code of Petty Offenses.
There will be fines! (Up to 500 PLN!)
A fine of PLN 200 is provided for using the phone while driving, requiring the driver to hold the handset or microphone in the hand. Transporting another person, animal or cargo will be punishable by a fine of PLN 100. For driving a vehicle other than a motor vehicle on a public road, in a residential area, or in a traffic zone, the fine will be from PLN 300 to PLN 500. Violation of the conditions of stopping or parking the vehicle on the pavement will result in a fine of PLN 100. A fine of PLN 350 is provided for the driver failing to give way to a pedestrian on the crossing.
The control authorities may also impose a penalty for the infringement committed, including on the driver of an electric scooter or a personal transport device or a person moving with the use of a traffic assist device, which violates other provisions of the Act – Road Traffic Law or provisions issued on its basis.
More details coming soon!
Detailed technical parameters of electric scooters and personal transport devices will be regulated in the provisions of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on the technical conditions of vehicles and the scope of their necessary equipment. The provisions on the new technical conditions will only apply to electric scooters and personal transport devices placed on the market after December 31, 2021. In addition, the draft act contains a provision allowing electric scooters and personal transport devices that do not meet the new technical conditions, if these vehicles have been placed on the market before 1 January 2022
The new regulations will enter into force 30 days after their publication in the Journal of Laws.
The Polish language article in Gazeta Krakowska can be found HERE.
Only 3 entrepreneurs from Malopolska (Lesser Poland) have been fined by the Sanepid for opening their businesses, despite government restrictions. Penalties were imposed on 2 restaurant owners and 1 entertainment center. However, the inspectors do not reveal which specific places are meant.
The Strike is stronger every day!
The entrepreneurs’ strike is getting stronger every day. Owners of restaurants, hotels, entertainment centers and clubs, contrary to government restrictions, open their premises. Some of them, referring to court judgments, directly believe that a ban on business activity, issued in the form of an ordinance, is inconsistent with the Constitution. Many entrepreneurs are also looking for a way to legally circumvent the restrictions.
Restaurants in Krakow re-open their doors for fear of bankruptcy
And so, for example, a dozen or so days ago, the doors for customers were opened by, among others “Tesone” restaurant in Krakow’s Ruczaj or “Wesołe Gary” restaurant in Nowa Huta. However, they did not do it for ordinary customers, because officially, according to the government regulation, it is not allowed to do it, only for … menu testers.
Those who make an appointment by phone are testers of our food. They pay us to test the dishes
says Karolina Bartosik, the owner of “Wesołych Gary”
Who wants to be a menu tester? 😉
You can also “test” food at “A’Bracciate Pasta & Wine” on ul. Mieszczańska. The W19 bar in Kazimierz, Krakow, has also been operating for weeks. Last Saturday, “Czarna Owca Wino”, located in Kazimierz, was added to the list of open places in the city. Bar. ”From January 18, the Carl & Bart restaurant in Prądnik is also open.
The situation that affected us forced us to make the decision to reopen the restaurant. Our government prepared shields so leaky that we did not get any – except for PLN 5,000 from the Labor Office. This amount is at least ridiculous for 5 months of closure, which generates huge costs. During this time, we have not dismissed any of our employees and we still want to develop. However, the moment has come when we say: we have had enough. We also want to live a normal life, both we and our employees. Therefore, from Wednesday 27.01 #OpenMy!
the owners of the restaurant “NOWA Krakowska Spiżarnia” at ul. Petrażycki
From this weekend, the “Talerz Polish Restaurant” restaurant at ul. Zabłocie and the “Małopolski Family Wagon – meat & pizza” at ul. Bolesław Czerwieński.
Sanepid threatens with a raised finger
According to Sławomir Grzyb, the secretary-general of the board of the Chamber of Commerce of Polish Gastronomy (IGGP), after January 18, about 20000 gastronomic entrepreneurs excluded and omitted from aid shields decided to resume their activities.
Meanwhile, the data of the Lesser Poland Sanitary and Epidemiological Station show that only between January 14 and 26, 26 facilities from the entire voivodeship started their activity despite the prohibition resulting from the regulation of the Council of Ministers.
Penalties on the rise!
“These are mostly catering establishments where, during the inspection, it was found that gastronomic dishes were served on-site for consumption, and in some cases, places for dancing were also available. Among the facilities there is one ice rink, one entertainment center, one ski slope, and a shop in a shopping mall“, says Dominika Łatak-Glonek, spokeswoman for the Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in Krakow.
And he adds that administration penalties were imposed on 3 of the places inspected. 30 and 20 thousand PLN for two eateries and 10 thousand. PLN on the entertainment center. The remaining proceedings are pending.
Names are not given out
But which places exactly are they talking about? It is not known.
“We do not give the place for a very simple reason. As you can see, with such a large number of inspections, there are very few places that have opened despite the ban. If we indicate the name of the place, it is clear and obvious which place is meant, because, for example, only one place from the area has opened. If a given entrepreneur who has been fined will want to reveal himself, he will do so. We cannot reveal such data” – the spokeswoman cuts off
List of open places in Krakow
Restauracja Tesone ul. Kobierzyńska;
Wesołe Gary ul. Urbanowicza 10a;
A’Bracciate Pasta & Wine ul. Mieszczańska 10;
Orakon – Studio W19 ul. Wawrzyńca 19;
Czarna Owca – Wino Bar ul. Dajwór 20/LU6;
Boka Coffee Bar ul. Załbocie 19;
Bar Na Żółto i Na Niebiesko ul. osiedle Teatralne 3;
Restauracja Carl&Bart ul. Ks. Meiera 26;
Gospoda Koko ul. Gołębia 8;
Still bar ul. Gołębia 8;
NOWA Krakowska Spiżarnia ul. Leona Petrażyckiego 27;
Talerz Polish Restaurant ul. Zabłocie 19 (from the 30th Jan);
Małopolski Wagon Rodzinnie – mięso & pizza ul. Bolesława Czerwieńskiego 20a (from the 30th Jan);
Read the article, in Gazeta Krakowska, in Polish language HERE.
MPK is modernizing the bus fleet. New electric buses from the pool of 50 purchased by the city carrier are slowly starting to arrive in Krakow.
On Monday, January 25, the first of 50 new electric buses ordered by MPK in Krakow left the Solaris Bus & Coach factory in Bolechowice near Poznań. The bus will be delivered on a special tow truck to the Wola Duchacka Bus Service Station.
After delivery, the technical acceptance of the new bus will begin. It will be carried out entirely at the MPK depot (due to the limitations related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it is currently not possible for these technical approvals to take place at the manufacturer’s factory as before).
50 new buses for Krakow
The contract for the delivery of 50 electric buses and 50 charging devices via a plug-in connector, dedicated to each vehicle, was signed on May 25, 2020. All new buses will carry passengers on four lines No. 144, 173, 179, and partially 503, running through Aleja Trzech Wieszczów, i.e. in the area of the city, where the greatest exceedances of the permissible air pollution standards occur.
The electric buses that Solaris will deliver to Kraków will be driven by axles with integrated electric motors. Articulated buses will be structurally prepared for charging in 2 ways: through a 4-pole roof pantograph located above the first axle of the vehicle or through a plug-in connector. The energy storage will be Solaris High Energy + batteries.
European Union Funds ON!
Electric articulators will be able to offer a journey for 141 passengers at a time, 43 of whom will be able to use seats. The newest buses for Krakow will be equipped with monitoring, passenger information system, air conditioning, USB chargers and an electric heating system. People on wheelchairs will be able to use a platform that will facilitate getting on and off the bus. The ramp will be mounted at the second door. For the purchase of these vehicles, MPK SA obtained approx. PLN 110 million in subsidies from the European Union funds.
These are the next electric buses in the capital of Małopolska. The residents of Krakow can currently use 29 emission-free vehicles.
The article is taken from Gazeta Krakowska – you can find it here in Polish language.
A woman from Krakow who received the COVID-19 vaccine died. This is the 2nd such case in Poland. It is known that the patient had numerous comorbidities such as atherosclerosis, hypertension and circulatory failure.
The government website publishes current vaccine adverse reaction (NOP) reports. The official definition of NOP is that it is a medical condition that occurs within four weeks of being given the COVID-19 vaccine.
Latest report: Women died from COVID vaccine – 26th Jan 2021
The latest NOP report of January 26 contains information that a woman died on January 25 in Krakow. The description of this information indicated that the patient had: “underlying diseases: atherosclerosis, hypertension, and circulatory failure”.
It was noted, however, that according to the doctor “the patient’s death is not related to the administration of the vaccine”. The woman was not hospitalized.
The deceased patient of the care and treatment facility is an advanced person – 85 years old and burdened with many serious diseases. She died 21 days after the first dose. According to the doctor reporting the death, it is not related to vaccination. However, we are waiting for the final confirmation of this fact
explains Agnieszka Pochrzęst-Motyczyńska from the communication office of the Ministry of Health
This is the 2nd such case in Poland. Let us recall that on January 20 in Oleśnica, a 73-year-old resident of the Poviat Nursing Home in Ostrowina, Lower Silesia, died a day after the vaccine was given. The causes of death are not yet known.
Nearly 500 NOPs
From the first day of vaccination (December 27, 2020), 494 adverse vaccination reactions were reported to the State Sanitary Inspection, of which 416 were mild – i.e. redness and short-term pain at the injection site.
At the moment, 905,000 have already been vaccinated in Poland. 457 people against Covid-19 (data from Jan 27th, 2021 – Gazeta Krakowska article).
FUN FACT! I love one of the comments on the article, so I will just post it – as is – below 😉
The Chinese laboratory in Wuchan is actually owned by Glax, which BY CASE belongs to Pfizer, the producer of the C-ovid RNA vaccine. Who is in charge of the finances of Black Rock, which COUNTERLY is in charge of the finances of the Open Fundation Society – George Soros.
Which BY CASE is interested in the French AXA, which BY CASE is a Chinese workshop with the German company Wintertur, was ACCIDENTALLY bought by the alliance of Germany and coincidentally, as a great shareholder on Avantgarde, who is a Blackrock shareholder, which controls central banks and manages 1/3 of the world’s investment capital, which is ACCIDENTALLY a large shareholder of Microsoft Teams – remote learning, and Apple owned by Bill Gates, which is ACCIDENTALLY a shareholder of Pfizer and now the first WHO sponsor …
But these are for sure, there are only “cases” and some conspiracy theories…
Krakow’s gastronomy is dying and despite the bans in force, some owners of restaurants, cafes, and even accommodation places have decided to circumvent the existing restrictions. Many entrepreneurs are on the verge of bankruptcy and prefer to risk penalties rather than close the business and lay off employees. Gazeta Krakowska prepared a list of places that are open in Krakow, despite the lockdown!
Happy Gary takes the lead!
The patron, who supports the “Wesołe Gary“ restaurant, said in an interview with Gazeta Krakowska:
The deprivation of the possibility of running the premises is possible only by means of an act, and here we have an ordinance that may only limit the operation of the premises, e.g. in terms of the permissible number of people in the restaurant. These are the rules in the churches today. We discussed the matter with the owner and came to the conclusion that there is no legal basis for the state to forbid restaurants
attorney Paweł Śliz
The burning Facebook post
On Monday, January 11, an emotional post appeared on the restaurant’s Facebook profile:
“Throughout this pandemic period, we received only PLN 5,000 in support from the government, this amount does not cover even one job, not to mention the liabilities and fixed costs. We believe that this is a joke about us and our team, and not support for entrepreneurs who is so proudly announced in the media.
At this point, wading into the lion’s mouth, we have nothing to lose, we have to fight. If not, we will lose our beloved place and job. We tried to maintain our team and the entire restaurant all the time, but we can no longer afford to add a week to a week of saving our lives – what we had, we have already given, we will not take any longer. On each side, we have obligations that keep growing.
We count on your understanding and, above all, your support.”
How does this work?
Restaurants make sure that:
customers made appointments by phone and reserved tables;
the sanitary regime was followed;
there were disinfecting and disinfecting agents on the tables;
too many visitors were not exceeded;
Meanwhile, policemen and representatives of the Sanepid daily check hundreds of shops and service premises to check whether entrepreneurs comply with the applicable regulation.
What restaurants, cafes, and accommodation are open in Krakow?
Check the list below:
The first restaurant that opened its doors was “Wesołe Gary” on os. Na Lotnisku – on Wednesday, January 13th 2021, at 12 o’clock it reopened its doors. The owner decided to restart the premise as, due to the restrictions, he was on the verge of bankruptcy
Tesone Restaurant in Ruczaj, Krakow, is another place in Krakow that invites you to eat inside, contrary to government restrictions – ul. Kobierzyńska 142
Na Żółto i Na Niebiesko – osiedle Teatralne 3
A’Bracciate Pasta & Wine – ul. Mieszczańska 10
Restauracja Carl&Bart – ul. KS Meiera 26
Ręce w mące – PIZZA i BURGER – ul. Górników 68
Boka Coffee Bar – ul. Zabłocie 19
Words & Swords – ul. Basztowa 1
Gospoda Koko – Gołębia 8 (One of my favorite places, that has really yummy home-made dishes!)
Czarna Owca Wino Bar – Dajwór 20
Małopolski Wagon Rodzinnie – mięso & pizza – ul. Czerwieńskiego 20a >>> They will be opening up starting the 30th of January 2021!
Orakon – Studio W19
The list is enlarging almost weekly so don’t be surprised if you will pass by your favourite restaurant and you will see their doors open once again!
Rules until the 31st Jan 2021
Until January 31, the government extended the existing restrictions related to the epidemic. The exception is the decision to open schools for grades 1-3 of primary schools.
Rules extended until January 31st:
limiting the functioning of shopping malls – remain open, inter alia, grocery stores, shops with books and newspapers, drugstores, pharmacies, as well as free-standing large-format furniture stores,
limiting the functioning of hotels – available, among others for uniformed services, medics, patients of specialized hospitals, professional drivers, aircraft crews, members of train staff; employee hotels are an exception,
sports infrastructure available only as part of professional sports,
10-day quarantine for people coming to Poland by organized transport (people vaccinated against COVID-19 are exempt from compulsory quarantine).
Existing rules and restrictions:
no movement of persons under the age of 16 without the care of a parent or legal guardian, from Monday to Friday from 8.00 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except for day camps, training camps or reaching school or educational institution),
50 percent number of seats or 30 percent. the number of all seats and standing places, while leaving at least 50 percent. unoccupied seats,
restrictions in places of religious worship – maximum 1 person per 15 m2,
participation in assemblies – a maximum of 5 people (meeting hosts and people vaccinated against COVID-19 are not included in the limit for events organized at home),
ban on weddings, communions and parties,
closed gyms, fitness clubs and aquaparks,
limitation in shops – maximum 1 person per 15m2,
hours for seniors – from Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 12.00,
closed restaurants (meals only to take away or delivery),
In 2019, Krakow liquidated almost twice as many outdated boilers as all neighbouring communes. Despite this, the capital of Lesser Poland is still under heavy smog. The reason is pollution flowing into our city from neighboring towns. It is estimated that around 30,000 coal furnaces are still smoking around Krakow. What is needed is the involvement of other Małopolska communes in the fight for clean air, argue the authorities of Krakow. In turn, in the Marshal’s Office, we hear assurances that more and more outdated boilers are replaced year by year in the neighboring communes.
Air quality – always horrible at the beginning of the year!
The beginning of the year is terrible when it comes to air quality in Poland. Our country has become a red point on the map of Europe in the last few days. In many cities, including those from Małopolska, air pollution standards were exceeded even several times. In our voivodeship, the worst was in Nowy Targ and Kraków. The capital of Małopolska was even ranked 5th among the most polluted cities in the world.
This fact may come as a surprise as Krakow is very good at replacing obsolete boilers, which are the main source of air pollution. In 2019, the city liquidated almost twice as many as all neighboring communes. At the moment there are just over 2.8 thousand obsolete heat sourcesto be replaced.
Despite this, in recent days the smog cap has hung over our city again, and its authorities, due to the exceeding the average pollution level for PM10 dust, had to introduce free public transport.
The slow pace of replacement of obsolete boilers in municipalities around Krakow
MEPs from Krakow who deal with smog, have no doubt that the impact on this situation is, among others, the slow pace of replacement of obsolete furnaces and boilers in municipalities around our city.
In each of them, there are thousands of furnaces, in which solid fuels are still burned. Krakow lies in a basin, where pollution from neighboring towns is deposited.
MP Aleksander Miszalski from the Civic Coalition (during the online meeting on smog)
Polish Smog Alarm takes notice!
Recently, the Polish Smog Alarm presented data which clearly shows that the replacement of furnaces and boilers is very slow across the country. Krakow seems to be an exception. Among voivodeship cities, a record number of boilers was replaced here – over 4.1 thousand. Let us recall that in the capital of Małopolska, coal and wood smoking are prohibited from September 2019.
When sending inquiries to the municipalities, we expected that the number of boilers mentioned would not be significant, but what we saw in the responses showed a complete crisis in the area of replacing obsolete boilers.
said Andrzej Guła, PAS leader
We decided to check the situation in the communes around Krakow. For example, last year in the commune of Świątniki Górne over 90 coal-fired boilers were replaced with gas ones. “Additionally, 2 heat pumps and 2 biomass boilers were installed. 42 photovoltaic panels and 5 solar collectors were installed” – emphasizes the eco-manager Aleksander Piegza.
Replacement of old stoves in smaller cities around Krakow is crucial!
More obsolete stoves were replaced in the Niepołomice commune: last year, nearly 150. “It should be noted that the number refers only to investments made under the municipal subsidy projects and the Clean Air government program” – Anna Szewczyk from the Niepołomice City and Commune Office assures us.
1% for activities related to air protection
Let us recall that during the consultations on the new air protection program for the Małopolskie Voivodeship, it was proposed that all communes should allocate 1 % off for activities related to air protection, including subsidies for the replacement of boilers. Such a provision appeared in the final version of the program. Communes of the so-called “obwarzanek krakowski” complied with these recommendations, although it was not possible to reach 1% everywhere.
“As part of activities related to air protection, the Świątniki Górne commune secured about 0.7 % in the budget for 2021. The activities include: employment of eco-managers (2 jobs), implementation of subsidy programs for the exchange of heat sources and the installation of renewable energy sources, etc.” – informs Piegza. At the same time, he emphasizes that the commune has also managed to obtain funds from outside for investments related to air protection. “Therefore, if you count the total funds for this purpose, it would be approx. 4 % budget” – the eco-manager confirms.
Why does Krakow still have smog?
We asked the Krakow authorities why, despite the quick replacement of outdated boilers, smog continued to suffocate residents. Paweł Ścigalski, the plenipotentiary of President Jacek Majchrowski for air quality, emphasizes that there are many factors.
First, Krakow has a terrible geographical location – in the valley of the Vistula river, which makes it difficult to ventilate the city. In addition, especially in the autumn and winter period, there are temperature inversions, fogging, periods of wind silence, and air humidity. Despite the anti-smog resolution in force for Krakow, which mentions the ban on the use of solid fuels, there are still locations in the city where it is used.
Ścigalski
The air circulation knows no borders…
Like MP Miszalski, the president’s adviser draws attention to the situation in neighboring communes. “It is estimated that around 30,000 coal furnaces are still smoking around Krakow. The air has no borders and hence other Małopolska communes need to be involved in the fight for clean air, especially those in its immediate vicinity from the perspective of Kraków“, adds Ścigalski. However, it indicates that the air in our city is getting better every year.
You can see the effects of anti-smog activities. It is worth noting that the dust level has dropped by half in the last 7 years. For 2 years now, we have been in the annual average PM10 standard, the number of days with daily exceedances is decreasing, in 2020 there were less than 50 (average from the CIEP station in Krakow) – he says.
Kraków remains the leader in Małopolska
In turn, Michał Drewnicki, the press spokesman of the Marshal’s Office of the Małopolska Region, emphasizes that more and more outdated boilers are replaced in the neighboring communes of Krakow. “On the scale of Małopolska, Krakow remains the leader, which in 2019 liquidated almost twice as many outdated boilers than all neighboring communes. In previous years, this advantage was even greater” – says Drewnicki.
It indicates that among the communes of the so-called “Obwarzanek krakowski”, but also on the voivodeship level, Skawina stands out in particular. “The commune not only lists the most heat sources but also carries out the most inspections of furnaces, installs renewable energy sources in residential buildings, and has made an inventory of almost all heat sources” – he acknowledges.
The Gazeta Krakowska article, in PL language, can be found on the link provided.
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