Poland: Authorities to further tighten domestic COVID-19 restrictions for Easter holiday period March 27-April 9 /update 29

Poland further tightens COVID-19 controls through April 9 for Easter holiday period; international entry restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities in Poland have imposed further temporary restrictions over the upcoming Easter holiday period in order to reduce the potential for increase COVID-19 activity. Effective March 27 through April 9, nurseries and kindergartens will be closed, as will hairdressing, beauty and cosmetics salons. Occupancy at places of worship will be limited to one person per 20 square meters (215 square feet). Authorities are advising residents to limit their contacts to immediate family members during the Easter holidays.

A previously announced slate of tightened restrictions implemented through April 9 for the holiday season includes numerous closures, including the following:

Hotels (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)
Theaters, museums, art galleries, and cinemas
Swimming pools, fitness clubs and gyms, and sports facilities

Outside of the temporary measures, the following existing restrictions remain in place:

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.