‘We must take firm steps,’ said the Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski during the press conference on Wednesday 17th March. The number of coronavirus infections has recently increased. Therefore, the government decided to introduce the lockdown throughout Poland.
Nationwide restrictions
The new restrictions that were valid in red zones will apply also to the rest of Poland from now. During the aforementioned period, the following facilities have to be closed:
- swimming pools (excluding pools in entities providing curative services and for national team members), saunas, solaria, Turkish baths, weight-loss salons, casinos
- hotels (excluding, e.g., workers’ hostels and accommodation services provided with regard to business trips – the accurate list of exclusions with a required confirmation of business trip will be included in the ordinance);
- shopping malls – excluding, e.g., groceries, pharmacies and chemist shops, newsagent’s shops, bookshops, pet shops and hardware stores. Hairdressing, optician, banking, laundry and some other services are still allowed to operate in shopping malls;
- theatres, museums, art galleries (however, rehearsals, training sessions and online events are allowed);
- cinemas (showing films will not be allowed in cultural centres, either);
- ski slopes;
- fitness clubs and gyms;
- sports facilities (may operate only for the needs of professional sport and without an audience).
Schoolchildren in classes 1–3 return to e-learning till 9th April
‘I request employers to introduce remote work as far as possible. We must reduce the mobility and transmission of the virus,’ appealed Adam Niedzielski.
Lockdown in Easter. Will churches be open?
Temples and places of worship are approved for use. No more than one person per 15 sq. m. may be present there. This means that believers can participate in Easter ceremonies.
