Poland: Authorities to tighten domestic COVID-19 restrictions March 20-April 9 /update 28

Poland to tighten domestic COVID-19 March 20-April 9; international entry restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities in Poland plan to temporarily tighten the nation's domestic COVID-19-related restrictions due to increased disease activity. From March 20 through April 9, the following enhanced measures will be in place:

Hotels will be closed (except for workers' hotels and accommodations for business travelers).
Shopping malls (with the exception of grocery stores, pharmacies and drugstores, newsstands, bookstores, pet stores, and DIY stores located in malls) will be closed.
Theaters, museums, art galleries, and cinemas will be closed.
Swimming pools, fitness clubs and gyms, and sports facilities will be closed.

In addition, the following existing restrictions remain in place as of March 17:

Public gatherings of more than five people are prohibited.
Bars are closed, and restaurants are limited to takeout services only.
Certain nonessential businesses can operate provided they adhere to capacity limits and hygiene requirements.
Capacity limits remain in place on public transport.
Individuals must wear face masks in all public places.

International Entry Restrictions
Incoming travel is permitted from EU and Schengen Area countries, as well as from Australia, Belarus, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, and the UK. Most travel from other countries is prohibited with certain exceptions in place for students and essential workers, among other classes of persons. All permitted travelers arriving via public transport must self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival; travelers arriving from the Czech Republic and Slovakia via private transport must also self-isolate for 10 days. Individuals possessing a negative result from a COVID-19 test no taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival, as well travelers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, are exempt from the self-isolation requirement.

Entry checks remain in place on land borders with Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The border with Russia can be crossed only at the Bezledy and Grzechotki border crossings, The border with Belarus may be crossed at the Kuznica, Bobrowniki, and Terespol border crossings, while the border with Ukraine may be crossed at the Dorohusk, Korczowa, Hrebenne, Medyka, and Budomierz crossings.

Restrictions could be extended, reimposed, or otherwise amended based on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.