Poland: Government to further ease COVID-19 restrictions from May 30 /update 13

Event

Polish authorities announced on Wednesday, May 27, that the country will further relax lockdown measures introduced due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic from Saturday, May 30. As of Saturday, the wearing of face masks will remain compulsory only on public transport, and in cinemas, shops, concert halls, churches, post offices, and government buildings. Masks will not be mandatory at work, when sitting at a table in a bar, restaurant, or café, and when in public, except in situations where maintaining an interpersonal distance of 2 m (6.5 ft) is not possible. From May 30, there will be no limit imposed on the number of attendees for funerals or religious gatherings, nor on the number of customers in shops and restaurants. Public transport will remain available with reduced capacity to allow interpersonal distancing and taxis will be allowed to continue operating.

From June 6, weddings and other family gatherings and celebrations with up to 150 guests will be allowed. Cinemas, concert halls, and theaters will also have permission to reopen with a maximum of 50 percent capacity. Strict hygiene measures will also be put in place for gyms, swimming pools, massage and tanning salons, indoor play centers, theme parks, tattoo parlors, and saunas that will be allowed to reopen from June 6.

Polish authorities began easing COVID-19 restrictions on April 20. Certain forests and parks reopened while hotels and recreational facilities resumed operations on May 4, under strict safety rules. Nurseries and kindergartens resumed on May 6.

Polish authorities extended a ban on international flight operations until June 6. The ban on domestic flights has also been extended until Sunday, May 31.

The Interior Ministry announced on May 13, that the existing entry restrictions which bar most foreign nationals from entering the country will be extended until June 12. Under the decree, all Polish citizens and residents are permitted to return to the country but will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

As of Thursday, May 28, authorities have confirmed 22,600 cases of COVID-19 and 1030 associated deaths in Poland. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term. 

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.