A press conference of government representatives is under way. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki is speaking about the new restrictions:
It seems that November will be one of the most difficult moments during the pandemic. Almost 25,000 cases is definitely far too many.
What new restrictions await us?
- remote learning for all school students, KINDERGARTENS unchanged
- closure of cultural institutions, such as cinemas and theatres
- hotels open only to those travelling on business
- shopping malls will have their shops closed – apart from grocery stores, pharmacies, drugstores and service outlets.
The prime minister announced that if the number of infections rises to 70–75 cases per 100,000 residents, a complete lockdown (the so-called national quarantine) will be introduced. He also appealed for remote work.
And he addressed the protesters:
Protest, but online.
The head of government also announced that support would be provided to entrepreneurs.
The new restrictions will take effect on 7 November.
Government:
Key changes
- Remote learning in grades 1–3 of primary schools – from 9 November to 29 November;
- Extension of remote learning in grades 4–8 of primary schools and secondary schools – until 29 November;
Attention! Children of medical workers and uniformed services personnel will be provided with the possibility of receiving care at schools.
Important! Every teacher will be able to receive reimbursement of PLN 500 for electronic equipment necessary for remote learning.
- Closure of cultural institutions: theatres, cinemas, museums, art galleries, cultural centres and music centres – from 7 November to 29 November;
- Hotels available only to guests travelling on business – from 7 November to 29 November;
- Restrictions on the operation of shopping malls. Service outlets, grocery stores, shops selling cosmetics, toiletries and cleaning products, medical and pharmaceutical products, renovation and construction supplies, pet supplies and press remain open;
- Other retail: in shops up to 100 sq m – 1 person per 10 sq m; in shops larger than 100 sq m – 1 person per 15 sq m (unchanged) – from 7 November to 29 November
- Churches: 1 person per 15 sq m – from 7 November to 29 November.
We are extending the current safety measures until 29 November:
- from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 and 16:00, children under 16 must travel under the supervision of a parent or guardian
- on public transport, 50% of seats or 30% of all places occupied
- suspension of the operation of swimming pools, water parks and gyms
- sporting events without spectators
- suspension of sanatorium operations
- suspension of on-site operations of catering establishments and restaurants, while delivery and takeaway services are permitted
- limitation of public gatherings to a maximum of 5 people
- ban on organising meetings and events
- restriction on the movement of people aged 70+ (except for work duties and meeting essential everyday needs).
10 anti-crisis measures for companies
In connection with the new restrictions, which will affect some sectors, we have prepared 10 anti-crisis measures for Polish entrepreneurs.
- Co-financing of fixed costs for SMEs from sectors hardest hit by the restrictions
Subsidies under the PFR Financial Shield of up to 70% of fixed costs not covered by revenue, provided that revenue has fallen by 30% compared with the same period in 2019.
Who for: sectors covered by sanitary restrictions.- Remission of subsidies from the PFR Financial Shield
Remission of PFR financial subsidies for SMEs in sectors covered by sanitary restrictions, provided that cumulative revenue falls by at least 30% from March 2020 to March 2021.
Who for: sectors covered by sanitary restrictions.- Extension of the Financial Shield programme for Large Companies until 31 March 2021 (applications) and until 31 June 2020 (payments)
Change to the method of calculating COVID-19 damage in preferential loans, from the current March–August 2020 period to March 2020–March 2021, in line with the programme’s original structure. Introduction of an accelerated pathway for large SMEs
Who for: large companies, large SMEs, all sectors.- Long-term loans with a guarantee
Continuation of de minimis guarantees for SMEs and liquidity guarantees for large companies. Consultations with the European Commission on the possibility of subsidies to cover instalments for loans over a six-year period for sectors affected by the restrictions
Who for: all sectors and sectors covered by sanitary restrictions.- Employment subsidies
Continuation of subsidies for jobs from the FGŚP in the form of downtime benefits and reduced working hours
Who for: all sectors.- Extension of downtime benefits
Extension of downtime benefit payments for sectors covered by the restrictions
Who for: sectors covered by sanitary restrictions.- Exemption from ZUS contributions
Extension of the exemption for sectors affected by the restrictions
Who for: sectors covered by sanitary restrictions.- Subsidies for changing the scope of activity under the Business Grants programme
Increasing the grant amount from six to eight times the average salary and extending it to finance not only a new business activity but also changes to the scope of the current activity. Funding provided by PUP
Who for: sectors covered by sanitary restrictions.- Second Chance Policy
ARP co-financing of costs related to corporate restructuring
Who for: companies undergoing restructuring.- Leasing subsidies
Coverage of leasing costs by ARP
Who for: the transport sector.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s conference: