English Section

UPDATE: Poland easing COVID restrictions

28.04.2021 13:09
Poland's prime minister on Wednesday announced a multi-stage loosening of COVID restrictions after a fall in new infections, promising to reopen retail outlets and hotels next week.
Audio
Mateusz Morawiecki
Mateusz Morawiecki Photo: PAP/Rafał Guz

By the end of May, schools will return to on-site lessons, gyms will be allowed to reopen, and restaurants will be able to open to half capacity, Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters.

He added: "I daresay the worst is behind us in terms of infections."

Shopping malls, DIY and furniture stores will be able to reopen on May 4, with sanitary restrictions in place, Morawiecki announced.

The youngest schoolchildren will return to on-site classes on the same date, while museums and art galleries will be allowed to open.

Hotels to reopen 

Hotels will be able to admit guests from May 8, while restaurants and cafes will be allowed to serve customers in open-air gardens from May 15.

From the same day, a mixed system of on-site and online classes will be brought in for secondary school pupils.

All pupils will return to on-site classes on May 29. The same day, restaurants, cinemas and theatres will be able to open at half capacity, while wedding receptions will be allowed with a maximum of 50 guests, Morawiecki announced.

'Cautious optimism'

Amid a fall in fresh COVID infections, Morawiecki said there were grounds for "cautious optimism” but added that the coronavirus "is still very, very dangerous."

Officials on Wednesday reported 8,895 new coronavirus infections and 636 more deaths, bringing the country's total number of cases during the pandemic to 2,776,927 and fatalities to 66,533.

Poland on Monday eased restrictions in regions with fewer COVID cases. Beauty parlours and hairdressers in such areas were allowed to reopen. Meanwhile, a system of mixed on-site and online education was brought in for younger pupils in 11 provinces.

(pk)

Click on the 'Play' button above for an audio report