On Monday, November 29, after 2:00 p.m., a press conference began with, among others, Health Minister Adam Niedzielski. The purpose of Monday’s meeting was to announce that the United Right government is introducing new restrictions.

– We are at the peak of the fourth wave – Minister Niedzielski stated. He added that, until now, the government had believed it had the pandemic under control, but in recent days a new element had emerged that could be a so-called game changer. This concerns a new mutation of the virus – OMICRON. – We must appreciate the significance of this phenomenon – he added.

Emergency package of restrictions

What do the restrictions concern?

  • tightening the borders – a ban on flights to seven “high-risk” countries (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe). People returning from these countries will be placed under 14-day quarantine (there will be no possibility of being released from it by taking a test);
  • changes to the rules for people travelling to Poland from outside the Schengen Area: the quarantine will be extended to 14 days. Release from quarantine – after taking a test – will be possible only after 8 days.

What national restrictions will apply?

  • where 75% limits currently apply (including in the catering sector), they will be reduced to 50% (the limits do not apply to vaccinated people);
  • at gatherings, where the current limit is 150 people, there will now be only 100 people;
  • at sporting events held outside sports facilities, where the limit has so far been 500 people, it will now be 250 people;
  • gyms, clubs, fitness centres, museums and casinos – the limit is now increased to 1 person per 15 sq m.

These regulations are to apply from December 1 to December 17 inclusive.