What Other Innovations Should Belarusians Expect In January?

Here are some things that you better know in advance.

The website Charter97.org has already listed what changes in Belarus will come in force since January 1, 2019, but life goes on after the New Year. Therefore, in addition to the “growth” of the minimum wage, the rise in prices for housing and communal services tariffs, “parasitic” payments for housing and utility services and duties on the importation of goods across the border, several other innovations are waiting for us, all throughout January. Let's take a look at them, writes "Vitebsk courier."

1. Fines for traffic rules violations

Since January 1, along with the growth of the base fee (now it makes BYN 25.5), the fine rate has also increased, including for traffic rules violations. For example, the lack of technical inspection will cost BYN 25.50 -76.50 (1 to 3 base fees). Also, the exam in the traffic police has become more expensive.

2. Allowances and government fees

The grown “base fee” increased the amount of certain fees and taxes (handicraft fee, agro-ecotourism, dog tax), dormitory fees, notary fees. For example, registering a marriage will now cost BYN 25.5, and BYN 102 will have to be paid for divorce.

3. New traffic signs

As an additional sign at pedestrian crossings near schools, kindergartens and health care institutions, you will now see the sign “Be an Example for Your Child”.

The new National Standard envisages special signs for bicycle lanes, gas stations with an opportunity for charging electric vehicles, new signs for toll roads, and the “Road mirrors” section has also appeared in it.

The changes affected the sign “Driving mode control” (radar): outside populated areas it should stand at a distance of 150-300 meters to special equipment, in populated areas - at a distance of 50-100 meters. At the places of stationary radars, there must be stationary signs, and when using mobile technology they use temporary radars on portable stands. On the sections of the road with a dividing strip, it must be duplicated on that strip.

4. "Shopping " visas

The diplomatic missions of the Republic of Poland stopped issuing type C visas under the digital code VIS23, which gave the right to repeatedly visit the Schengen countries. Most often, it was issued for a period of 1-2 years; shopping tourism served as the basis for the issue. According to the representative of the embassy, such changes were of a technical nature.

5. Mobile communication

The changes will affect the tariffs of the mobile operator Life. Since January 15, the cost of services will increase, in the case of some packages, the traffic will also change. Increases will affect subscribers of the tariff plans "Voice", "Shake", "Multinet", "yo1200", the tariffs "Family 1" and "Family 2" will be renamed, "Family 3" will be closed for new subscribers. Changes will affect archive tariffs, additional packages, roaming, entertainment services.

6. Sick leave registration

Closer to the end of the month, on January 31, new forms and the order of registration of sick leave certificates will be established, they will be issued in electronic form.

Persons of working age who are not working and not registered in the bodies for labor, employment and social protection will receive a certificate of temporary work incapacity.The certificate of temporary work incapacity for a person who takes care of a sick child under the age of 14 (a disabled child under the age of 18) will be extended for one day, to travel to the place of residence, when providing medical care in a hospital.