It has happened! During a press conference attended by Prime Minister of the United Right government Mateusz Morawiecki and Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski, new restrictions were announced.

The prime minister spoke, among other things, about how our country is in the most difficult moment of the pandemic in 13 months and that Poland is approaching the limits of the healthcare system’s capacity:

COVID is attacking everyone. Today, the rule should be: all hands on deck.

He appealed for Easter to be spent in a small circle. “We are fighting for the health and lives of citizens, and we are fighting for jobs,” M. Morawiecki assured.

Adam Niedzielski:

There is no doubt that the third wave will exceed what happened in the autumn.

What will the new restrictions be?

FROM SATURDAY – they will remain in effect for two weeks.

Ministry of Health:

Retail

  • Large furniture and home-improvement stores with an area exceeding 2,000 sq m will be closed.
  • Shopping centres and malls will remain closed, as they are now, with exceptions including grocery stores, pharmacies and drugstores, newsstands and bookshops.

In addition, new occupancy limits will apply at retail outlets, markets and post offices:

  • 1 person per 15 sq m – in stores of up to 100 sq m,
  • 1 person per 20 sq m – in stores larger than 100 sq m.

Religious worship

From March 27, a new occupancy limit will apply in places of worship – there must be 20 sq m per person. The requirement to cover the mouth and nose and to keep 1.5 m from other people remains unchanged.

Hairdressing and beauty salons

From March 27, hairdressing, beauty and cosmetic salons throughout Poland will also be prohibited from operating.

Nurseries and preschools only for medical workers

For the safety of children and parents, nurseries and preschools will be closed. The exception will be childcare for children of medical workers and uniformed services personnel, including soldiers, police officers and firefighters.

Important! Parents will be able to receive an additional childcare allowance.

Sport – professional only

The operation of sports facilities will be limited exclusively to professional sport. All events may take place without spectators.

Stay home over Easter

The difficult situation related to COVID-19 requires limiting our social activity, including during the upcoming Easter holidays.

If we want to return to the time before the pandemic, we must act responsibly. During the holidays, we should therefore limit our contacts exclusively to our immediate household, and postpone any meetings until another, safer time. Much depends on us. Let us take care of ourselves and our families.

Remote work – wherever possible

Nationwide, we also recommend working online wherever possible. Remember to keep your distance, disinfect your hands, wear a mask and ventilate rooms frequently. If you have a mobile phone, ask your loved ones to install the STOP COVID ProtegoSafe app, which will notify you of possible contact with an infected person.

Other restrictions – unchanged

The remaining safety rules continue to apply:

  • Education – students in all grades of primary and secondary schools, as well as learners at continuing-education institutions and vocational education centres, study remotely.
  • Hotels – facilities remain closed, with exceptions including workers’ hotels and facilities for medical workers, drivers carrying out road transport and soldiers; the full list of exceptions is set out in the regulation.
  • Culture – theatres, cinemas, museums and art galleries will remain closed.
  • Sport – gyms, fitness clubs, ski slopes, swimming pools, saunas and tanning salons, among others, remain closed.