From 20 April some safety rules will change. More people will be able to shop in stores at the same time, we will be allowed to enter forests and parks for recreational purposes, and young people over the age of 13 will be able to move around without adult supervision.
Government officials:
Our primary concern is to continue protecting citizens, which is why the same safety rules will apply to everyone. They must become the foundation of the new normal.
What restrictions are in force?
- keeping a distance of 2 metres from other people in public spaces
- mandatory covering of the nose and mouth in public places
- maintaining remote work and education wherever possible
- strict compliance with sanitary rules in places where people gather (disinfection and maintaining an appropriate distance)
- quarantine and isolation for infected or potentially infected people.
When will normality return?
The first limited safety rules will take effect on Monday, 20 April 2020. The effective dates of the remaining stages will be determined on an ongoing basis, depending on the dynamics of new infections.
FIRST STAGE – FROM 20 APRIL 2020
Business activity – new rules for trade and services
From Monday, 20 April, more people will be able to shop in stores at one time:
- in stores with an area of less than 100 sq m, the maximum number of customers will equal the total number of cash registers or payment points multiplied by 4
- in stores with an area of more than 100 sq m, there must be at least 15 sq m of floor space per person.
Social life
- open forests, recreation, older teenagers outdoors without adults
- travelling for recreational purposes.
Officials: – We will also allow people to move around for recreational purposes. What does this mean? From 20 April, you will be able to enter forests and parks, as well as run or cycle – if this is important for your mental health. However, remember that you may only be outdoors provided you maintain social distance and cover your face!
Attention! Playgrounds will remain closed!
Religious worship – 1 person per 15 sq m
The number of people who will be allowed to attend Mass or another religious ceremony will depend on the size of the place of worship. In a church, there must be at least 15 sq m of floor space per person.
People over the age of 13 outdoors without adult supervision
Older teenagers who have turned 13 will be able to move around without adult supervision. However, they will have to maintain an appropriate 2-metre distance from others and cover their mouths and noses.
Gradual lifting of restrictions – further dates to be set after analysis
The Ministry of Health will conduct a weekly evaluation of the changes taking place in the safety rules. Moving on to further stages of lifting restrictions will depend on:
- the increase in the number of infections (including the number of people in serious condition)
- the capacity of the healthcare system (especially dedicated hospitals)
- the implementation of sanitary guidelines by the responsible entities.
The ministry: – This means that we will be able both to accelerate the introduction of new relaxations and to slow the changes down!
What will the next planned stages of lifting restrictions look like?
SECOND STAGE
Business activity:
- opening DIY stores at weekends
- opening hotels and other accommodation facilities with restrictions.
Social life:
- opening some cultural institutions: libraries, museums and art galleries.
THIRD STAGE
Business activity:
- opening hairdressing salons and beauty salons
- opening stores in shopping centres with significant restrictions
- catering – allowing on-site operations with restrictions
Social life:
- sporting events for up to 50 people (in open spaces, without spectators)
- organising childcare in nurseries, preschools and school grades 1–3 – a maximum number of children per room to be set.
FOURTH STAGE
Business activity:
- opening massage parlours and tanning salons
- allowing gyms and fitness clubs to operate.
Social life
- theatres and cinemas under a new sanitary regime.
Ministry of Health:
The subsequent stages of returning to normality will be introduced gradually when the increase in infections in our country is low. This does not mean, however, that we should abandon social discipline and compliance with the restrictions in force. Let us remember that the speed at which the next stages of returning to the new reality are introduced depends on us!