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Respect COVID-19 rules, Polish PM urges rebellious firms

18.01.2021 15:03
Poland’s prime minister has called on firms to comply with rules aiming to curb the COVID-19 epidemic after some hotels, restaurants and ski lifts opened to customers on Monday, flouting a government ban.
PM Mateusz Morawiecki seen on screen during a press conference on Monday.
PM Mateusz Morawiecki seen on screen during a press conference on Monday. Photo: PAP/Albert Zawada

Mateusz Morawiecki was responding to reporters’ questions about what the Polish media have dubbed a "revolt" by business owners who say they face bankruptcy if they do not reopen.

Government spokesman Piotr Müller said that restrictions were needed because Poland had a large number of coronavirus cases.

"It is not that someone wanted to shut down a business out of spite," he added.

The government imposed a fresh set of restrictions on December 28 as it stepped up its efforts to contain an epidemic that has now killed over 33,000 in Poland.

The closure of hotels, ski slopes and many retail outlets will remain in place until at least January 31, officials have announced.

But some business owners, especially in popular holiday resorts, complain that government support for struggling firms is insufficient.

The Prime Minister’s Office has said that some 6 million jobs have been saved throughout the country thanks to measures including a massive relief and stimulus package that aims to shield the economy from the coronavirus.

The government has handed out around PLN 173 billion in financial aid to firms across the country since the pandemic hit Poland last March, the family, labour and social policy minister has said.

Poland on Monday reported 3,271 new coronavirus infections and 52 more deaths, bringing its total number of cases to 1,438,914 and fatalities to 33,407.

(pk)

Source: IAR