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UPDATE: Poland eases lockdown, hairdressers, cafes set to re-open

13.05.2020 13:24
Hairdressers and beauty parlours will be allowed to re-open on May 18 as Poland moves into a third phase of easing its coronavirus lockdown rules, the country’s prime minister announced on Wednesday.
PM Mateusz Morawiecki during a televised press conference  on Wednesday
PM Mateusz Morawiecki during a televised press conference on Wednesday Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak

Restaurants, bars and cafes will also be able open their doors, though the amount of customers they can serve will depend on the size of the premises.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters that a greater number of passengers would be allowed onto public transport from Monday.

And from Sunday, more worshippers will be allowed into churches – one person per every 10 square metres.

A total of 17,062 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 847 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Wednesday morning.

A record 595 cases of the COVID-19 disease were confirmed on Tuesday amid a rapid growth in infections among coal miners in the south of the country. It was the largest daily spike in new cases since the start of the epidemic in Poland. 

Poles urged to stay disciplined

Announcing the latest loosening of restrictions on Wednesday, Morawiecki urged Poles to stay disciplined.

He told a press conference: “A return to normality is very much needed but at the same time it’s possible thanks to the fact we’re protecting ourselves, thanks to social distancing, through using disinfection measures. Let’s maintain this discipline.”

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 move to contain the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the government closed all pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Some restrictions were relaxed last month, and hotels and shopping malls were allowed to reopen last week.

Public gatherings of more than two people remain banned. Health and government officials have urged Poles to stay home and practice social distancing.

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

Schools are due to remain shut until May 24 as Poland battles the epidemic.

Meanwhile, nurseries and preschools throughout the country have been given the green light to resume operations.

Poland also reopened outdoor sports areas last week and plans to allow its top football league to resume behind closed doors at the end of this month.

(pk)

Source: IAR, Polish Radio, TVN