The line was crossed on Wednesday, March 17: 25,000 new cases of coronavirus infections mark a return to full, nationwide lockdown. What restrictions may be introduced across the country?
At the beginning of the week, the government announced that if the daily number of infections in Poland exceeds 25,000 by Thursday, a nationwide lockdown and possibly additional restrictions will be introduced across the country. On Wednesday morning it turned out that the border had broken. Therefore, the decision on the national lockdown may be made during today’s conference of the Minister of Health, Adam Niedzielski, which is initially scheduled for 3 p.m.
Nationwide restrictions coming up!
The introduction of new nationwide restrictions is practically a foregone conclusion. Currently, stricter restrictions are in force in 4 provinces.
The government’s baseline scenario consists in extending the restrictions applicable today in Mazovia, Pomerania, Warmia and Mazury and Lubuskie to the entire country. It is about the partial closure of schools, shopping malls, hotels, culture and sports.
Restrictions that are already in force in 4 voivodships
Distance learning in grades 4-8 of primary schools, secondary schools, technical schools, and colleges (with exceptions).
Closed gyms, fitness clubs.
Closed restaurants and bars, only take-out meals.
Ban on the organization of weddings and consoles.
However, some modifications are possible. There is a discussion, for example, about introducing additional restrictions in trade, i.e. a reduced number of customers who can be in super and hypermarkets at the same time, because it is known that crowds will gather in stores before Christmas.
Bringing you the #KrakowNews – The Twisted Red LadyBug
Vaccines for COVID-19 in Poland are getting closer. As promised by the health minister, the first groups of people are to be vaccinated at the turn of January and February 2021. Friday the 4th of December 2020, preliminary vaccination procedures were announced. Meanwhile, more questions arise from the public about its side effects. Doubts are dispelled by Dr. Lidia Stopyra, a specialist in infectious diseases, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Stefan Żeromski Specialist Hospital in Krakow.
Declaration of readiness
From Friday, medical entities may declare their readiness to participate in the national vaccination program against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, said the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, Michał Dworczyk. Recruitment has started on the Internet. There you will find all the details that must be met by hospitals and clinics to participate in the program. The first stage of recruitment will last until December 11 .
“On December 15, there will be information about all reported points where it will be possible to get vaccinated. We estimate that in Poland it may be approx. 8 thousand. points, in large agglomerations” – said Dworczyk. “We want the program not to disturb the normal functioning of the clinic” – he specified. Additional points will also be provided in reserve hospitals.
Point in each municipality
In addition, in line with the promises of the government, each commune will have at least one mobile vaccination point dedicated to people with disabilities who cannot reach stationary places on their own. Each doctor will be able to decide on a qualification for vaccination.
“We want hospitals, health care centers, private entities to report their teams. There is no requirement that the entity has a contract with the National Health Fund. It is enough for the team to meet the basic criteria” – said the Minister of Health, Adam Niedzielski. “We will pay great attention to the safety of patients during vaccination” – he added.
The registration & Evaluation Process will be ongoing!
It includes o disinfection of the entire infrastructure intended for vaccination. Each hospital should have a vaccination coordinator who will take on the reporting responsibilities so that it is clear how the program is going, how many people have already had their vaccinations.
Please do not count that this vaccine will be today or tomorrow. The clinical trial registration and evaluation process are ongoing. The vaccine will probably be in early January. It will not be introduced until we are sure that it meets all the safety and effectiveness criteria.
Prof. Andrzej Horban, chief advisor to the prime minister for combating the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic.
2 doses are required!
The vaccination effect is expected to be visible after about 6 weeks. Prof. Horban recalled that 2 doses would be required. He stated that the vaccine did not alter the genome, as some say. Local reactions may occur, such as with influenza vaccination.
“In the beginning, we want to protect the groups that are most at risk of dying. The vaccine will work if most of the population is vaccinated” – added prof. Horban. “Vaccination of young people will be done in the second place” – he said.
Qualifications for the vaccine
How will the qualification for vaccination look like? “If there are indications for vaccinations, there are basically no contraindications. Apart from a high fever” – said prof. Horban. “We vaccinate everyone, regardless of the level of antibodies or infection, to make them more resistant to re-infection” – he specified.
Doubts about the safety of the preparation
Meanwhile, more and more questions and doubts about vaccine safety arise among part of the society. Doubts in this regard are dispelled by Dr. Lidia Stopyra, a specialist in infectious diseases, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Stefan Żeromski Specialist Hospital in Krakow.
“These vaccines are worrying because they were developed quickly.” You can comment on it this way: need is the mother of invention. No serious and self-respecting company would release a vaccine on the market, the safety of which would not be certain, because it could lead to multi-million dollar lawsuits and, as a result, bankruptcy.
Dr. Stopyra
And he adds that we can assess their safety by analogy to other vaccines produced by the same method.
“On this basis, we can assume that this vaccine, like any other substance that has been introduced into our body, may, for example, cause a strong allergic reaction. However, it should be realized that the risk of such complications is extremely rare. They are also nothing compared to the behavior and severe course of COVID-19”, explains Dr. Stopyra.
A chance to return to normal?
In her opinion, the COVID-19 vaccine is a chance to return to normal. When asked how many people would have to be vaccinated in order for us to feel safe, she replies: “Judging on the basis of the experience that medicine has with other infectious diseases, we can assume that with vaccinations at the level of 80-90% we will be able to feel safe”.
The level of protection also depends on how many people have contracted the disease. And we do not know this completely, because the statistics only include the number of convalescents who have had the tests performed, and yet there are a lot of people who have not been tested.
Recent numbers (as of 5th December, when the article was published)
Recent laboratory tests have confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in 13,239 people, 599 of whom are residents of our province. Since the beginning of the pandemic in the region, infection with Coronavirus has been confirmed in 96 140 people. Unfortunately, a lot of infected people still die every day.
Article translated from Gazeta Krakowska (published on the 5th of December 2020) – read it in the Polish language here.
During the latest conference, Prime Minister Morawiecki, announced new rules regarding restrictions in connection with the Coronavirus pandemic. Shops will be open! :O
Shops may open up!
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced new rules for fighting the coronavirus. From next Saturday, November 28, all shops and shopping malls will be open, but they are to operate in the highest sanitary regime. If this is not the case, the stores will be closed. Restaurants, gyms, fitness clubs, and cultural centers will remain closed until December 27. Until the holidays, there will be distance learning for all students.
People are losing their jobs!
From next Saturday, retail outlets will be able to operate in the highest sanitary regime. We met with the trade industry, they promised us that they would take care to keep the number of people in the shops as low as possible, announced Prime Minister Morawiecki.
We were persuaded by other industries, gastronomy, gyms, and cultural industries to open them. However, we are following the advice of our epidemiologists and will keep them closed until December 27. Before Christmas we will inform you what to do next, added the head of government.
Discipline, discipline, discipline!
As Mateusz Morawiecki pointed out, it is important to save hundreds of thousands and millions of jobs in the future, but also to keep the increase in infections in check, as in the last 10 days. There is one condition: discipline of every store, furniture store, shopping mall. We will control them and, if there is no sanitary discipline, we will close stores, said the Prime Minister.
Distance learning in schools will also apply until holidays. However, in the new year, from January 4, winter holidays will begin for all provinces at the same time. They will last two weeks.
Human tragedies unfolding…
Under every information about death, there is a human tragedy, we experience it in many Polish families. That is why we increase the number of beds and respirators every day. We have over 37,000 beds, of which 40 % is free and waiting for patients, although we want them to remain free. For this, we have 3 thousand ventilators, several hundred of which are waiting for patients, said Prime Minister Morawiecki.
As the head of government pointed out, the situation with the coronavirus is still not good. The 7-day rolling series of infections is over 22,000 cases per day. I am concerned about the daily number of deaths, directly and indirectly, due to the Coronavirus. We must remember that the virus takes the death toll that it sowed 3-4 weeks ago. We will see an improvement only in some time – he added.
Prime Minister admits mistakes were made…
The prime minister then admitted that mistakes had been made regarding the coronavirus. Many of our predictions and analyzes were wrong. Two days ago there was the European Council, I heard the opinions of prime ministers and presidents and I know that the mood is similar in many EU countries. We have to demand more from ourselves because the situation is difficult. Coronavirus is a force of nature that cannot be fully controlled. In the fight against it, we lose as often as we achieve any achievements – he emphasized.
100 days of solidarity – Coronavirus vaccine at the end
All Poles have weapons to fight the coronavirus: it is discipline, solidarity, and compliance with sanitary rules. We are facing a period of 100 days of solidarity. By the end of this period, it is likely that a coronavirus vaccine will be available. Even, if not for everyone, a large proportion of those vaccinated will break the chain of infections, said Mateusz Morawiecki
School Holidays
The prime minister, announcing that school holidays will last from 4 to 17 January, added that they are cumulated for all voivodeships so that possible tourist traffic is as small as possible. Mateusz Morawiecki, however, appealed not to travel, especially abroad, to break the chain of infections and to minimize mobility. Let whole families stay at home. There is a chance that the first vaccines will appear around January 17 – he added.
Various scenarios to fight the pandemic
Health Minister Adam Niedzielski announced that the government puts predictability and transparency. The point is not to surprise and show a longer perspective, that the plans are predictable and communicative. We have presented clear rules. They will appear in the form of a draft regulation even today. In addition, there will be a whole package of regulations – announced Niedzielski.
The minister of health also presented potential scenarios for fighting the epidemic. If we approach the disease below 19 thousand per day, that’s when the red zone rules will apply. The number of cases below 10,000 is the yellow zone, and below 4,000 are the rules for the green zone. However, there may be a negative scenario, i.e. an acceleration of the pandemic, and we also predict such a scenario, i.e. a national quarantine, if the daily number of cases starts to exceed 27,000. – warned Niedzielski.
Restrictions introduced by Prime Minister Morawiecki in early November
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki informed at the beginning of the month that November would be “one of the most difficult moments during the pandemic”. The pandemic is growing and our response must be decisive – said the head of government. Further restrictions are very much needed, we are protecting people and health care from the consequences of the pandemic – he added.
The restrictions introduced at the beginning of November include:
distance learning also for grades 1-3, an extension of distance learning until the end of November
closed all cultural institutions – museums, cinemas, theaters, galleries, etc.
hotel facilities will be available only to guests on business trips
trade – in smaller shops up to 100 sq m. 1 person per 10 sq m will be able to stay, and in stores of 100 sq m 1 person / 15 sqm remains
Shops in shopping malls will be closed, except for groceries, pharmacies, drugstores, and services.
In addition, there was a last-minute closure of furniture stores. However, from October, among others, swimming pools, fitness clubs and gyms. However, these institutions often circumvented the regulations and invited people to use their services in preparation for sports competitions.
National Quarantine?!
The next step is a national quarantine and a complete lockdown to stop the worst, that is, the crack in the health service.
Prime Minister Morawiecki, announcing the November restrictions.
The prime minister announced that if new cases of the coronavirus affect more than 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, a severe safety brake will be applied, and if 75 cases out of 100,000 are exceeded, it will be necessary to implement a national quarantine.
If the number of new infections is less than 50 but greater than 25, it is possible to return to the red zones. Below 25, it is possible to return to the yellow zone – added Mateusz Morawiecki. The head of government admitted that he would like to say that the worst is behind us, “but it would be premature”. It is likely that after these new safety rules if we strictly follow them, the situation will improve – says Mateusz Morawiecki. The prime minister also appealed to people protesting in the framework of the “Women’s Strike” to move the protest to the Internet, where it will not increase the epidemic threat.
The original article, in the Polish language, from Gazeta Krakowska, can be found here.
On Wednesday, November 4, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced further restrictions in connection with the coronavirus pandemic (including limiting trade in galleries and closing schools).
At the same time, he also presented that a complete lockdown may occur in Poland. And this one is very close. So what should you be prepared for? What can await us during the national quarantine?
When will national quarantine be necessary?
According to Prime Minister Morawiecki, the decision to introduce a lockdown may be made even within the next ten days. When will national quarantine be necessary? The prime minister explained during the press conference:
If the epidemic affects more than 70-75 people per 100,000 inhabitants, we will have to implement national quarantine rules, including no movement.
Prime Minister Morawiecki
“National Quarantine” – what does it mean?
The introduction of a national quarantine will impose restrictions on further industries and restrictions on movement.
If the epidemic affects more than 50 cases per 100,000 residents for 7 days nationwide, “we are turning on this severe safety brake.” If it is in the 70-75 range, the rules of the national quarantine will be implemented, i.e. also restrictions in movement. However, if the number of cases is smaller, more than 25 but less than 50 per 100,000 for 7 days nationwide, it is possible to return to the rules of red zones. If greater than 10 and less than 25, it will return to the yellow zones.
Prime Minister Morawiecki
Second lockdown knocking at our doors…
According to Onet’s estimates, such a threshold will be reached after exceeding 30,000 cases a day. At the moment, the number of infected people is increasing at a rate of 20-25 thousand daily.
When it comes to Małopolska, Gazeta Krakowska calculations show that the indicator mentioned by Prime Minister Morawiecki for the region is already 68. Therefore, our voivodeship is close to the border mentioned by the rulers.
What are we to expect?
Ban on movements
After introducing a national quarantine, the government may announce a ban on movement without a valid reason (so it could be allowed to leave the place of residence only in special cases, e.g. to do grocery shopping or see a doctor).
Special documents to go outside
In some countries, people outside their homes must have special documents to justify their movement in public spaces. Similar rules could be introduced in Poland.
Re-closing borders
The re-closure of borders is also a realistic scenario, as was the case in spring during the first coronavirus wave.
Temporary border controls were introduced in March when there were relatively few infections. Poles returning to Poland had to undergo a 14-day home quarantine. Only cross-border workers and road transport drivers were exempted.
Curfew
In some countries – due to the growing number of infections – a curfew has been introduced (e.g. in France – a ban on leaving houses and apartments from 21:00 to 6:00).
For a curfew to be introduced in Poland, a state of emergency must first be introduced. This, in turn, is introduced at the request of the Council of Ministers. However, such a solution cannot be completely ruled out.
Ban on forest entering
The ban on entering forests, which aroused a lot of emotions a few months ago, may be introduced again.
No more open beauty salons!
Of course, a national quarantine and full lockdown would mean closing down, among others, hairdressing and beauty salons that may still be in operation today.
Flight bans
Of course, the real scenario is to close the airports and introduce a flight ban.
Kindergartens and Schools
From Monday (9th November 2020), students of the youngest primary school grades (I, II, and III) have started remote learning. However, kindergartens are still operating. However, they would most likely be closed if a national quarantine was introduced.
This scenario is not very realistic, but it cannot be ruled out. The number of people allowed to attend mass has already been reduced. Will the churches be completely closed, however, like cemeteries?
Ban on large gatherings
It looks like the ban on gathering may also be extended. Currently, more than 5 people are forbidden to meet up (e.g. business meetings in companies).
Cover your nose and mouth!
The obligation to cover the mouth and nose may also apply, inter alia, in parks and forests.
I don’t know about you you, but I am definitely NOT looking forward to that 🙁 Stay safe!
Yours truly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug
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