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The government decided to introduce new restrictions. The regulations come into force on December 15. The changes are a reaction to the still high number of infections and the appearance of a new variant of the coronavirus – Omikron in the world. Will the new rules improve our epidemic situation? – The government’s decisions are very slow and late. I have the impression that they are not fully thought out – says prof. Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska from the Department of Virology and Immunology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, whom we asked for a comment.
- On December 15, new restrictions will come into force in Poland. This is the reaction of the authorities to the still high number of infections and the appearance of a new variant in the world – the Omicron
- – Maintaining a high number of infections, with an additional risk of the appearance of the Omikron variant, requires decisive action – said Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski
- – Government decisions regarding the epidemic are very slow and late. I have the impression that they are not fully thought out – says prof. Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska from the Department of Virology and Immunology at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin. The expert also commented on some of the announced changes
- You can find more such stories on the Onet homepage.
What restrictions are in force in Poland from December 15?
On December 6, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced “epidemic exacerbations” in connection with holidays and a new variant of the coronavirus. On December 7, they were presented by Minister Adam Niedzielski, as well as Deputy Minister of Health Waldemar Kraska and the head of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, Krzysztof Saczka.
– Maintaining a high number of infections, with the additional risk of the appearance of the Omikron variant, requires decisive action – emphasized the Minister of Health at a press conference devoted to changes in the restrictions. Some of them are:
The health ministry is preparing to introduce compulsory vaccinations for medical services from March 1. Work in this matter is also carried out in relation to uniformed services and teachers.
From December 15, people living with COVID-19 patients will have to undergo an antigen test. It will also apply to people who are vaccinated and who are COVID-19 certified.
We are introducing distance learning in primary and secondary schools from 20.12.2021/9.01.2022/XNUMX to XNUMX/XNUMX/XNUMX. We want to take advantage of the upcoming winter holidays and extend the period of absence from schools, informed Deputy Minister Kraska.
– We will be preparing for this solution, where each employee will have access to a free test – announced Adam Niedzielski. – We will introduce a solution that through the form that will be available on our website, it will be possible to sign up for such a test by selecting the option that it is an employee test.
- More about the new rules: What are the restrictions in force in Poland from December 15th? [LIST]
New restrictions from December 15. Virologist comments on the new rules
We asked prof. Agnieszka Szuster-Ciesielska from the Department of Virology and Immunology at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin. The specialist referred to the following issues:
Obligation to vaccinate professional groups, i.e. medics, teachers and uniformed services, introduced from March 1. – And here the question immediately arises, what was driving the authorities to set such a distant date that the change was not introduced immediately. I believe that the obligation to vaccinate these professional groups should have been passed a long time ago. In general, I take the position that vaccination against COVID-19 should be obligatory for all Poles.
Each employee will have access to a free test: – I consider this idea unsuccessful. Every employer should be required to check whether or not an employee is vaccinated. This means better organization and shifting unvaccinated people to less exposed positions.
It is also a mistake that the state, in fact all of us, will bear the costs of testing people who do not want to be vaccinated. It should be as it is currently organized in Germany. There, each person has a choice: to vaccinate with the free vaccine or not (I’m not talking about people who cannot get vaccinated for medical reasons). If such a person chooses not to get vaccinated against COVID-19, it is a conscious choice. This in turn means that the costs of testing are borne by himself.
From December 20 to January 9, remote learning in primary and secondary schools. – Free time for schools is a good move. Currently, schools function in a fairly disorganized manner – which is caused by numerous quarantines and infections among students and teachers. All this results in disorganization of these institutions, but also a sense of instability in children who do not know whether they will go to school tomorrow or whether there will be distance learning. It also negatively affects the work of parents and the need to provide care for the child at home.
Increasing the limits for verified people vaccinated in places such as cinemas, theaters, restaurants, hotels, etc. – I immediately imagine that there is a person waiting in front of the building who will check if someone is vaccinated or not. The only question is, how is it going to be organized? There is still a possibility that people will hide behind the GDPR. In addition, there is also a dispensation for the New Year (from December 15, nightclubs and discos will be closed, except for the New Year’s Eve) so that we can all have fun.
Mandatory testing for co-home members of people suffering from COVID-19, whether they are vaccinated or not. – This change is very good. After all, we know that vaccinated people can infect (at least initially). This regulation should have been in force for a long time. It is also a pity that it will not enter into force until December 15th.
Will the new restrictions improve the epidemic situation? Prof. Szuster-Ciesielska replies
– Changes in the regulations related to the COVID-19 epidemic in our government are born in great pain. The authorities do not listen to the advice of scientists, do not respect the recommendations or recommendations of the Medical Council. Quite simply, the government’s decisions regarding the epidemic are very slow and late. I have the impression that they are not fully thought out – says prof. Szuster-Ciesielska. – At this point, the announcement of the changes will not have the effect that they would have had if they had been introduced at the start of the fourth wave.
Do you want to test your COVID-19 immunity after vaccination? Have you been infected and want to check your antibody levels? See the COVID-19 immunity test package, which you will perform at Diagnostics network points.
You may be interested in:
- When is the fourth wave peak? Dr. Grzesiowski: we are in the middle of the element
- From March 1, compulsory vaccinations for health workers, teachers and military personnel
- Dr. Fauci: Looks like Omicron is not that dangerous
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