Madrid is reopening all 68 of its nursery schools, while taking into account new health and safety measures, such as ensuring that schools do not exceed 50% capacity at any one time. This means organising children and teachers into smaller groups that should remain stable over time. Read more here
Contact: Ana Buñuel
Zagreb has suspended parking charges for medical and technical staff of hospitals in the , as well as for citizens using their services, and for employees of state and local authorities of the Republic of Croatia who are engaged in combating the COVID-19 virus epidemic, alongside of hospital locations and surrounding streets.
After the Civil Protection Staff of the Republic of Croatia made the decision to suspend public urban transport, the City of Zagreb, through its public urban carrier ZET d.o.o. introduced 17 lines of emergency transport to transport persons from work and to work for those jobs that did not cease to be carried out during the epidemic. Shuttle service is free of charge. There are 62 buses in service.
Contact: international.relations@zagreb.hr
A political argument between the City of Vienna and the Austrian national government has eventually come to a good end after nearly four weeks. While all parks owned by the city remained open and accessible after the beginning of the coronacrisis, public parks owned by the national government were closed. After a wave of citizens protest, petitions and appeals of the city government, national government showed readiness to reopen the parks after Easter weekend.
Continue reading “Vienna – Parks open again after Easter”Zaragoza is providing free parking slots to the health workers near the two main hospitals in the city. The staff interested in obtaining this service can register online. An agreement was reached with the private companies that run this service, and for one month up to 900 parking spots are being offered.
Contact: Lorena Calvo
With families spending unusually much time together bound in their homes, the incidents of domestic violence have spiked in the past weeks and days. The German city of Dusseldorf has therefore extended its accommodation facilities, shelters and protection services for women and children in need. For people suffering emotionally as a result from the corona restrictions, psychological counselling is offered via telephone hotlines.
Continue reading “Dusseldorf – Protection for women and children”Despite the recent impacts of an earthquake on 22 March, Zagreb is also preparing its coronavirus response. One public institution, which focusses on the rehabilitation of disabled people, has switched its activities to produce face masks, for example. See more here:
Contact: international.relations@zagreb.hr
Cardiff residents have responded overwhelmingly to the call from Together For Cardiff which has been launched by Cardiff Council to unlock the volunteering potential across the city during the COVID-19 outbreak. The volunteering portal harnesses community spirit to match people who want to help, with those in need of assistance, in safe and properly-managed way. Read more here
Contact: Beverley Watson
The central kitchen of Nice has been mobilized since the start of confinement to feed those in need, including the children of health and essential service personnel. Currently, up to 2,000 meals are prepared every day by 60 municipal officers (compared to 102 usually) divided into three brigades. Hygiene standards, which are already strict in normal times in the kitchen, have been reinforced in the context of this exceptional situation to ensure the personnel present the guarantees necessary for their safety. Read more (in French) here.
Contact: Jérôme Sieurin
Riga City Council’s Welfare Department has set up a system with certain local hotels used uniquely to allow people without COVID-19 symptons to self-isolate. Guests, who must pay for the service, receive a daily breakfast package and can telephone for other services. Read more here
Contact: Egita Alzsilniece
To stop the spread of contagion, the city’s employees are no longer permitted to enter people’s home when picking up specialist waste, such as out of use items, and employees can only pick up bagged items.
In addition, the city has invested in disinfecting street containers where waste is collected.
Read more here
Contact: Daniel Freitas
