Valladolid to have Spain’s largest biomass-fed heating network
The promise is that it will save between 30% and 50% on users’ energy bills
States have been calling for a unified policy for months and since authorities reported 58,000 new cases yesterday, things have started moving fast
Today, Germany announced some of the first national guidelines to deal with the recent spike in Covid cases. While state authorities have been pressing the Federal Government for unified guidelines, policymakers in Berlin have been reluctant to take decisive action up to now.
Today, the still unfinalised coalition between the Socialists, Greens and Federal Democratic Party unveiled their multi-step approach for restrictions based on incidence rates.
At the same time, health authorities reported more than 58,000 new infections yesterday. The fourth wave of the pandemic is in full swing and it is showing no signs of slowing down. This has caused a domino effect of closed Christmas markets across the country, most notably in the whole of Bavaria.
Considering the current guidelines, all eyes turn to Christmas, as the possibility of strict social distancing and a cap to in-person visits loom over the horizon.
The main measurement for determining the pandemic and appropriate response in the new guidelines is the reported hospitalisations per 100,000 reported by the Robert Koch Institute.
If the hospitalisation rate exceeds a threshold of 3, only the vaccinated and those who have recovered can visit restaurants, events and body services like hairdressers.
If the hospitalisation rate exceeds a threshold of 6, then the vaccinated and recovered need to also provide a negative PCR test.
If the hospitalisation rate exceeds a threshold of 9, the states will have the authority to impose tougher rules like contact restrictions and bans on events.
Furthermore, the German government will also extend financial aid for people affected by the new restrictions. One measure is the III Plus, extended until March 2022. Another is a restart of assistance for self-employed people and the third is a still undecided fund that should provide flexibility to those working in the arts.
Following the cancellation of the Christmas market in Munich due to exploding COVID-19 numbers earlier this week, state authorities have announced their decision to close all Christmas markets. The decision is coupled with a new wave of restrictions that should break the current spike.
In Saxony, the Dresden Frauenkirche church announced that it will cancel all concerts. Furthermore, authorities have tripled mobile vaccination staff and now mandate a green certificate for people going to work. Also, schools have been ordered to close. This all comes amid numerous Christmas market closures from across the federal state.
On the other hand, Erfurt, a city in Thuringia stubbornly refuses to close its Christmas market despite the rise in cases and criticism from the political opposition. Its mayor, Andreas Bausewein, complained that his rivals are trying to politicise the holiday and are in breach of the law. It is important to note that the initial plan for the market has been adapted to a more modest size and stricter health guidelines.
The bill, however, still has to be approved by Parliament to become a law
As the EU Commission is about to vote on REPowerEU, a bill to fund alternative natural gas suppliers, Breakthrough Energy claims that the bloc needs more battery storage capacity
The promise is that it will save between 30% and 50% on users’ energy bills
It will offer people with physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities a calming environment
Innovating Pilsen will take place during the first week of June
The project is the first of its kind in Lithuania
‘Wien Gusto’, as the brand is called, will source its produce from the nearly 2,000 hectares of farm land owned by the city
It should reduce noise and air pollution in the heart of the city
In this way, it will reduce the levels of noise and pollution
It will offer people with physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities a calming environment
The bill, however, still has to be approved by Parliament to become a law
Local authorities explained that his policy hopes to sensitize people to not smoke in front of children and thus break the cycle of passing on the habit
These will be spread across 11 EU countries and will serve to support the EU Missions
The European Commission has accepted to develop the idea
An interview about AYR, one of the 2021 New European Bauhaus Prize winners
An interview with Nigel Jollands and Sue Goeransson from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
An interview with the President of the City of Athens Reception & Solidarity Centre
A talk with the Mayor of Malmö on the occasion of the city’s UN Resilience Hub status