Cemeteries are closed from October 31 to November 2 inclusive. The decision on this matter was announced by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Thursday, October 30 due to – as he pointed out – the rapidly growing number of coronavirus infections. According to the ordinance published on Friday evening, the closure of the cemeteries does not apply to funeral ceremonies and related activities. The decision was made and announced at the last minute – on the afternoon of October 30.
Who will be responsible for the increase in infections?
Soon after the government’s decision was announced, PiS MP Violetta Porowska took the floor and, in a sense, revealed the motivations behind the regulation.
Closing the cemeteries is a good decision of Prime Minister Morawiecki. People visiting the graves of their relatives will not be responsible for the increase in infections, but only the protesters and politicians of the PO and the Left, who suspect them
– wrote Porowska [pis. oryginalna – red.].
Will protests increase infections?
Contrary to what politicians from the ruling party have been saying in recent days, research shows that the demonstrations are not significantly influencing the development of the epidemic. An example is the Black Lives Matter protests, after which the increases in infections in individual states and cities were compared and found that they did not contribute to the escalation of the coronavirus epidemic in the United States, and in the large cities where they took place, did not increase the number of COVID-19 cases
– There really was no data to say that we saw the spikes in infection as a result of the protests – said epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist Dr. Saskia Popescu, quoted by Vice.com. Polish experts are of a similar opinion. – Demonstrations in masks and in the distance in the air are not a great threat of coronavirus – assessed Prof. Krzysztof Simon, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology at the Medical University of Wroclaw.
Injured traders
The government has announced support for entrepreneurs affected by the closure of cemeteries. The first tranche is to be PLN 180 million. Help was also announced in the event of local government actions.
From Monday, agricultural agencies will offer flower growers to buy back a batch of goods – flowers and plants that have not been sold due to the decision to close the cemeteries. As part of government aid, local governments will be supported, which will also help the flower and candle producers’ industry.
Entrepreneurs affected by the closure of individual industries and the shutdown of production may also apply for other forms of aid. These include microloans, temporary exemptions from paying social security contributions or the “parking” payment for your employees for the current month.
