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UPDATE: Polish president, gov't discuss preparations for new school year

30.08.2021 12:05
Polish government ministers gathered for a special meeting with President Andrzej Duda on Monday to discuss nationwide preparations for the new school year amid warnings of a fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Polish President Andrzej Duda.Photo: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

The meeting, known as a Cabinet Council, began at noon at the presidential palace in Warsaw, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and Education Minister Przemysław Czarnek attend the Cabinet Council meeting at the presidential palace in Warsaw on Monday. Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and Education Minister Przemysław Czarnek attend the Cabinet Council meeting at the presidential palace in Warsaw on Monday. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Duda told state broadcaster TVP Info ahead of the gathering that the key focus would be on "how the Polish education system is prepared for a possible new wave of infections" and "how the government plans to deal with a potential increase in new COVID-19 cases in schools."

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said last week that Polish schools would be provided with fresh supplies of face masks, disinfectant and other COVID-19 protection gear to ensure a safe return to in-person instruction during the new academic year.

Poland on Monday reported 151 fresh COVID-19 infections and no new deaths linked to the coronavirus.

A total of 2,888,385 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Poland since the pandemic began in March last year, and 75,340 have died in connection with the COVID-19 respiratory disease so far, public health officials announced.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, prezydent.pl