- I think there will be around 600-700 positive results [today]. As has been the case in recent days, this is the effect of two things, really. On the one hand, we have screenings at large workplaces, and that certainly adds to the pool of positive results, but on the other hand, it must be clearly stated, a certain relaxation in mask-wearing - stated Łukasz Szumowski in an interview with Krzysztof Skórzyński on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

- We have reports from the last 24 hours indicating that protests have started in the villages. The brutality of the interventions in Minsk itself and in the large cities is escalating. Besides the actions of the police [militia] and special services, Lukashenka has no other card left. However, let's remember that this is such a powerful card that I fear the future is not clear – said Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz in an interview with Polsat News' "Graffiti".

- The EU also has limited actions, as the only sensible weapon it can wield is the weapon of sanctions. I recall that concerning Ukraine, we, Polish diplomacy, somewhat wove Europe's common stance towards Russian aggression against Ukraine. That succeeded. I fear that Poland currently lacks both such credibility and such strength - Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz said on Polsat News. 

„What is happening in Belarus is primarily a matter of neighborly support. There is a joint initiative from the presidents of Poland and Lithuania, and a willingness to mediate in talks, expressed by both presidents. There is an initiative directed to the EU by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki for a European Council meeting to be held to discuss the situation in Belarus. I don't think this is a good topic for the North Atlantic Alliance” - said Minister Mariusz Błaszczak in an interview with Radio Jedynka.

- Let's remember that such a state, more or less stable, at the level of 300, 400 [new infections], now a little more due to screening and new infections, is for now, to use management language, safe enough, controlled, these are bad words, but it is a level that does not yet threaten the healthcare system in Poland. We have 70 people on ventilators. If there were 7, 8, 10 thousand active patients in hospitals [that level would threaten the healthcare system] - stated Łukasz Szumowski in "Jeden na jeden" on TVN24.

"We categorically deny this. The Ministry of National Defence, and I can say this on behalf of the entire government, has not issued any approvals for the import of ammunition to Belarus. Manufacturers, the Polish Armaments Group, meaning state-owned companies, are not producers of this type of ammunition. Perhaps we are dealing with a provocation. We are prepared for such events. I categorically deny this. There was no Polish government approval for the export or sale of ammunition to the territory of Belarus," stated Minister Mariusz Błaszczak in an interview with Jedynka radio.

- As far as I know, from the evening analyses and again today before meeting with the editor, the number of these counties [with restrictions] will be roughly similar - stated Łukasz Szumowski on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden".

- [The Ministry of Health is not considering introducing] mandatory flu vaccinations, but we are proposing vaccinations and want to fully refund flu vaccinations for all medical professionals, because they are the most exposed group. Moreover, these are the global trends: if there is a coronavirus vaccine, medical professionals will receive it first, because they are the ones who save others. And here, approximately 500,000 people will have the chance for full refund, provided they are within the healthcare system, and we will appeal for more people to get vaccinated. Medical professionals and the elderly, exposed individuals, meaning we are expanding the refund group – stated Łukasz Szumowski on TVN24's "Jeden na jeden" program.

The Ministry of Health has reported 811 new cases of coronavirus infection in Poland. Unfortunately, 14 people have died.

For more details, please refer to the following tweets from the Ministry of Health's official account:

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1293828528815955968

https://twitter.com/MZ_GOV_PL/status/1293828531135406080

- If someone broke procedures, if someone broke the law, if someone took shortcuts, then the state must hold them accountable, and no act can exempt them from this responsibility. It is very characteristic that when there is talk of major scandals in the Ministry of Health, instead of explaining these scandals, instead of dismissing the people who allowed these scandals to happen, instead of reacting and wanting to cleanse itself, the PiS government prepares this type of act. This truly shows their real intentions, it truly shows that it is not about any transparency. Covid has become a good tool for some PiS politicians to live well and pursue good business. We will not allow this. Regardless of the fate of this act, we hope it will be rejected if it were to be processed, but regardless of its fate, every crime, every shady deal will be accounted for - said Marcin Kierwiński during a press conference. 

„In districts where restrictions were introduced, at least in part, we saw a decrease in the number of infections. In the first batch of districts, there were 19 areas. The current list includes 18,” said Deputy Minister of Health Janusz Cieszyński at a press conference.

„From tomorrow, the red zone will include the following districts: Nowy Sącz, Nowy Sącz city, Rybnik, Wodzisław, Ruda Śląska city, Ostrzeszów, Jastrzębie Zdrój (a change, it was previously in the yellow zone), Wieluń, and Rybnik city,” Cieszyński listed.

"This is a parliamentary bill. It is not a bill that was drafted by the Ministry of Health," said Deputy Minister Janusz Cieszyński regarding the new COVID-related bill that includes provisions for the absence of legal liability.

“Poland is a leader on this issue. Our joint statement within the Weimar Triangle, a statement initiated by Poland concerning the presidents of Poland and Lithuania and other Baltic states. Also, the initiative of the Lublin Triangle. All of this happened on Poland's initiative” - said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcin Przydacz on TOK FM.

„We have been working for some time on a range of solutions to facilitate potential border crossings, as well as support for repressed individuals who wish to leave Belarus and reach the EU territory, including Poland. Within the next few hours, by tomorrow at the latest, these proposals will be ready and made public” - said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcin Przydacz in TOK FM. 

- First and foremost, I would like to emphasize that I work at a higher education institution as a professor and I'm not planning on entering politics. Therefore, if anyone has such concerns, I would like to dispel them - stated Adam Bodnar on TVN24's "Fakty po faktach" (Facts after Facts).

- Dialogue is always possible, the question is whether there is the will. The possibility is always there, but is there the will? We, the presidents, are appealing for such will because what is happening in Belarus today is truly a road to nowhere. This kind of conflict, confronting one's own society, leads nowhere - said Krzysztof Szczerski in a conversation with Danuta Holecka on TVP Info's program "Gość Wiadomości".

The Sejm's Committee on Rules of Procedure, MP Affairs, and Parliamentary Immunity has launched a legislative initiative regarding a bill proposing a salary increase for parliamentarians, as announced by the committee's chairman, Kazimierz Smoliński from PiS. He noted that all parliamentary clubs recommend the adoption of the project.

According to the committee chairman, the initiative concerns an amendment to the act on the remuneration of persons holding senior state positions, but the specifics are not yet known. The proposal may be considered at tomorrow's Sejm session. At the committee meeting, 12 MPs voted in favor, with no votes against or abstentions.

https://twitter.com/MichalOlech/status/1293982199293845504

A significant portion of the conversation with the American Secretary of State will be dedicated to the situation in Belarus, 300POLITYKA has learned. Mateusz Morawiecki will also present a completely new political proposal to EU partners. The Prime Minister will also announce the introduction of significant facilitations for repressed Belarusians entering Poland, including exemption from visa fees and easier access to employment, we are told.

On the order of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, government representatives and experts have prepared a program to aid the repressed and support civil society in Belarus, confirms the Head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery, Michał Dworczyk. The program will be presented by the Prime Minister in the Sejm on Friday.

As we hear, the government program is also intended to include strengthening independent media reaching Belarusians, such as Belsat, Karta97, or Radio Racja.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister spoke with the head of the Union of Poles in Belarus, Andżelika Borys. According to the Polish portal znadniemna.pl, he provided her with his direct phone number in case the situation required immediate intervention or assistance: "As proof of the sincerity of his declaration, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, left Andżelika Borys his direct phone number so that the president of the Union of Poles in Belarus could ask him at any time for direct intervention in her defense or in defense of one of the Union's activists," the portal notes.