Further restrictions for Poland against COVID-19

Further restictions after a record daily rise in coronavirus cases on Thursday 15th September. Secondary schools and universities in such areas, which will include Warsaw, will have to switch to distance learning, while wedding parties will not be allowed, said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Customers in shops would be restricted to five per till, while people would be able to meet socially in groups of no more than ten.

"We want to implement restrictions that will protect us against the spread of the coronavirus, but at the same time we want the economy to be working as much as possible," Morawiecki said.

Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said 152 regions would be designated as “red”, adding that these were densely populated areas in which over 70 percent of Poland’s population live.

In zones designated as “yellow” - areas judged to have the second-highest level of risk - restaurants will be allowed to serve nothing but takeaways after 9pm, while swimming pools, aqua parks and gyms will have to shut, Morawiecki said.

Sports events will take place without fans being allowed in to watch.

Gatherings in such areas will be limited to 25 people, while secondary schools and colleges will have to offer a mix of remote lessons and in-person classes.

A total of 149,903 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Poland since the pandemic began, and 3,308 have died in connection with the COVID-19 respiratory disease so far, officials said earlier on Thursday.

Source: PAP