COVID-19 Update:
- 370 new cases reported in Poland
- 5 new cases in Lublin Region
- 5575 people infected in total
- 174 deaths in total
At today's press conference the Polish government has announced the following:
- current restrictions would be maintained in force until April 19,
- from April 16, there is an obligation to cover the mouth and nose in public space,
- schools, kindergartens and nurseries would remain closed until April 26, leaving cert exam (matura) and post elementary school exam are postponed. The government will announce a new dates at least 3 weeks in advance. Exams would take place in mid-June at the earliest.
- The current regulation limiting participation in religious services max. up to 5 people will remain in force (also during Christian Easter)
Food aid for foreigners
The following foreigners staying on the territory of the Republic of Poland are subjected to receive social assistance on the same terms as Polish citizens:
- EU citizens,
- foreigners with permanent residence permit,
- foreigners granted with refugee status,
- foreigners granted with subsidiary protection,
- foreigners granted with humanitarian residence permit,
- foreigners granted with tolerated stay permit,
The food aid is provided under the EU Operational Programme Food Assistance 2014-2020 (FEAD) among the various forms of assistance.
More details in the Social Services section, Coronavirus practical information.
Situation of underage international students
In the period from April 1 to April 19 there are restrictions on moving and staying in public space. Therefore, people under the age of 18 can only stay in public space if they are accompanied by an adult. In Lublin, there are over 300 non-Polish students aged under 18 within current academic year (2019/2020). Over 40 mainly Ukrainian students have stayed in Lublin, in local dormitories. Recognizing this problem, the Mayor of Lublin issued a letter to the Chief of the Provicial Police Department, in which he drew attention to specific situation foreign underage students in Lublin found themselves in.
In response to the Mayor’s letter, The Chief of the Lublin Police Department, emphasized that the current security rules apply with no exceptions to everyone. Nevertheless, Lublin Police officers are aware of this specific situation arisen and they are in contact with the Consul General of Ukraine in Lublin on that matter. At the same time, Lublin City Office remain in constant contact with the local universities’ “student buddies”. Underage foreign students are supported not only by university employees, but also by their elder colleagues from academia and dormitories.
New solutions for business
The Polish government presented a bill to strengthen the solutions proposed previously in the so-called Anti-crisis shield (worth PLN 212 billion). According to the Polish Press Agency, additional funds allocated for combating the crisis will amount to PLN 18.5 billion.
The package includes, among others:
- 50% exemption from social security contributions (ZUS) for companies employing 10 to 49 people
- loans for enterprises from the SME sector up to PLN 250 million
- small enterprises will be able to obtain loans from the Industrial Development Agency
Source: Polish Press Agency (PAP)
