Meeting reporters at a news conference, Adam Niedzielski said that after the latest round of curbs, introduced last week, the number of new cases has stabilised, but is still at a “very worrying” level of around 23,000 new infections per day, the state PAP news agency reported.
“Because this high number of daily cases persists, and there is also the added risk of the omicron variant, firm steps need to be taken,” Niedzielski said.
Compulsory vaccination for medics, teachers, law enforcers
He announced that as of March 1, COVID-19 vaccination would be compulsory for medics, teachers and "the uniformed services."
Niedzielski also said the government was working on a bill that would allow employers to ask their workers to show the results of COVID-19 tests.
“We are discussing this draft legislation with lawmakers from the ruling Law and Justice party and other stakeholders,” Niedzielski revealed, voicing hope that the bill would be "formally submitted to parliament within a week.”
A group of ruling party MPs last month submitted legislation to enable employers across the country to check if their staff are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Distance learning in schools before and after Christmas
In other new restrictions, between December 20 and January 9, primary and secondary schools will be conducting classes remotely, Niedzielski told reporters.
From December 15, all those living in a household with someone who has COVID-19 will have to take a mandatory test, while mass transport will operate at 75 percent capacity.
Also from December 15, restaurants, bars, hotels, cinemas, theatres, sports centres and religious facilities will be allowed to be no more than 30 percent full; the limit can only be extended for vaccinated people who produce their health passes, the health ministry said.
Finally, discos, night clubs and other dance facilities will be closed from December 15 until further notice, officials announced.
Poland on Tuesday reported 19,366 new coronavirus infections and 504 more deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the country's total number of cases during the pandemic to 3,704,040 and fatalities to 86,205.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info