Current information about the pandemic as of 24.04.2021:

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The COVID pandemic is still here. Due to the fact that most people treat the imposed safety regulations seriously and get vaccinated, some parts of Poland witness a decreased number in new COVID cases, hospitalization and individuals dying of coronavirus or comorbidities.

While taking into account the decreasing number of cases, the Polish government has decided to loosen the restrictions in 11 voivodeships. As of 26 April, hair salons and beauty parlours are open in those voivodeships. Apart from that, primary school children from years 1-3 will start hybrid learning. Other restrictions are still effective. The already imposed restrictions remain the same in the other 5 voivodeships. They include:

  • Lower Silesia,
  • Greater Poland,
  • Silesia,
  • Łódź,
  • Opole.

 

In 11 voivodeships, which include:

 

  • podlaskie,
  • podkarpackie,
  • warmian-masurian,
  • lublin,
  • pomeranian,
  • lubusz,
  • świętokrzyskie,
  • masovian,
  • kuyavian-pomeranian,
  • west pomeranian,
  • lesser Poland.

 

hair salons and beauty parlours will be opened on April 26. However, they will operate under a strict sanitary regime.

At the same time primary school children from years 1-3 will start hybrid learning.

 

The following restrictions are still in force throughout Poland:

 

Trade – restrictions:

 

  • Construction and furniture stores of floor space over 2 000 m2 remain closed.
  • Shopping centres – remain closed, except e.g.: grocery stores, pharmacies and drugstores, newsagent’s stores, bookshops.

 

Outlets, markets, and post offices have the following limits:

  • 1 person per 15 m2 – stores up to 100 m2,
  • 1 person per 20 m2  – stores over 100 m2.

 

Religion:

 

  • Places of worship – one person1 per 20 m2.
  • The obligation to cover the mouth and nose and keep 1,5m distance from other people remains without changes.

 

Education:

 

  • Primary and post primary school students, participants of continuing education and vocational education centres have online classes (expect years 1-3 of primary school in the above-mentioned five voivodeships),
  • Nurseries and kindergartens operate on normal rules.

 

Culture:

 

  •  Theatres, cinemas, museums and art galleries remain closed.

 

Hotels:

 

  • remain closed until May 3 (except i.e., worker’s hotels, accommodation provided as part of business trips – e.g. doctors, road transport drivers or soldiers).

 

Sport:

 

  • Children and young people can take part in sport competitions run by a relevant Polish sport association.
  • Open-air sport at sport centres is also allowed – however, maximum of 25 people can take part in such activities (both children, young people and adults).
  • Use of other sport facilities (sport halls, indoor fields etc.) is still limited to professional athletes (as it’s been so far). All events take place without the audience.
  • Some facilities remain closed, i.e. gyms, fitness clubs, swimming pools, sauna rooms and tanning salons. Exceptions are listed in the regulation.

 

Removal of restrictions is closely related to the number of new COVID-19 cases and mortality, that’s why we can all contribute in this matter by following the basic health and safety regulations:

 

  • Wear a mask and cover your mouth and nose,
  • Avoid large crowds and mobs,
  • Keep at least 1,5 metres distance,
  • Wash and disinfect your hands often,
  • Air your rooms.

 

 

The Polish government has also announced that if the decreasing tendency is maintained, restrictions will be loosened in trade and food services in May.

Vaccination is an important element of combating COVID-19. So far, the Polish government has introduced a vaccination rule based on age and performance of a high-risk occupation. Now, a government regulation supplements this rule, saying that all the vaccines, which are left unused at the end of the day, can be given to individuals who apply for vaccination. It is a chance to use vaccines objectively and make it available to others, who otherwise would have to wait for it longer due to their age group.

By taking care of our safety, we not only protect each other and ourselves against the disease, but also give ourselves a chance to return to the normal social order, which all of us misses so badly!

 

You can find more information about restrictions related to the pandemic in Poland here: https://www.gov.pl/web/koronawirus/aktualne-zasady-i-ograniczenia