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COVID-19 infections: New daily record in Poland

08.06.2020 18:22
A daily record of 599 COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Poland on Monday, even as the country eases a coronavirus lockdown.
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The death toll increased by nine from the previous day, according to public health authorities.

A total of 27,160 people have now tested positive for the disease in Poland, with 1,166 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Monday afternoon.

On Sunday, the Polish health ministry reported four deaths throughout the day and 575 new coronavirus infections nationwide, compared with 16 deaths and a then-record of 576 new cases on Saturday.

Meanwhile, 12,998 people have recovered from COVID-19 throughout the country, the health ministry said.

Poland will temporarily shut down 12 of its coal mines after coronavirus infections spiked in the country's southern coal region in recent weeks, officials said on Monday.

'State of epidemic'

The first infection was confirmed by Polish authorities on March 4, while the country's first coronavirus fatality was announced on March 12.

Poland has since declared a "state of epidemic" and temporarily closed its borders to non-residents in a move to curb the spread of the illness.

International scheduled flights and passenger rail connections were suspended on March 15.

In another effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the government banned public gatherings and closed all pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Health and government officials urged Poles to stay home and practice social distancing.

People were ordered to wear masks or other face coverings when out in public.

Easing of restrictions

Some restrictions were relaxed in late April, and hotels and shopping malls were allowed to reopen in early May as the country moved to the next phase of easing its coronavirus lockdown.

Hairdressers, beauty parlours, restaurants, bars and cafes were allowed to reopen to customers in the middle of last month.

Poland relaxed face mask rules at the end of last month, and it also allowed public gatherings of up to 150 people.

In another move to ease coronavirus measures, the government lifted restrictions on how many people can gather in places such as retail outlets, restaurants and churches though face coverings and social distancing are still required.

Nurseries and preschools throughout the country have been given the green light to resume operations.

Poland has also reopened outdoor sports areas and allowed football matches to be played behind closed doors.

Culture and entertainment venues as well as indoor sports facilities were allowed to restart their operations from June 6.

Polish football stadiums are set to reopen to spectators from June 19.

Elementary schools began reopening to young children at the end of last month as the country lifted more COVID-19 safety measures.

But most schools at all levels of education will stay shut to students until the end of the academic year on June 26, providing distance learning instead of in-person classes, following an announcement by Education Minister Dariusz Piontkowski.

Poland last Monday reopened its skies for domestic flights, while international passenger flights remain suspended.

Polish air carrier LOT has extended its suspension of international flights until June 30.

(pk)

Source: IAR, PAP