Regional COVID-19 restrictions introduced in Poland

The Ministry of Health introduces additional restrictions in 19 districts with the highest increase in infections

face masques on a table
Beeld: ©A.Murawska

Minister of Health Łukasz Szumowski informed, that on 8 August 2020 Polish government will introduce additional rigors in 19 districts with the highest rate of increase in infections, incl. districts located in in the province Wielkopolskie, Małopolskie, Łódzkie, Śląskie, Świetokrzyskie and Podkarpackie.

At a press conference at the headquarters of the health ministry, Szumowski informed about the planned introduction of additional restrictions in 19 districts with the highest increase in infections. The Ministry of Health will introduce two types of restrictions in these districts - red and yellow.

Restrictions

Greater, "red" restrictions will apply in the following districts: Ostrzeszowski, Nowosądecki, Nowy Sącz, Wieluń, Pszczyna, Ruda Śląska, Rybnik, Rybnik and Wodzisław. The most stringent restrictions are introduced there, prohibiting the operation of, among others, gyms, cinemas, sanatoriums and limiting the number of people at weddings and funerals to 50, and in churches to 1 person per four square meters. In addition, an order to wear the mask everywhere in public spaces will be introduced.

map of Poland with marked Covid zones in the South of the country
Beeld: ©A.Galica

The following districts will have milder, "yellow" restrictions: Wieruszów, Jastrzębie Zdrój, Jarosław, Żory, Kępiński, Przemyśl, Cieszyn, Pińczów, Oświęcim and Przemyśl. There, according to the announcements of the Ministry of Health, it will be possible, among others, to organize  sports events, cultural events, opening of cinemas with a share of 25% participants, and a maximum of 100 people will be allowed at weddings and funerals. In districts marked in yellow, the rules regarding restrictions in churches, wearing masks or related to public transport will not change.

The changes to the rules introduced in the above districts do not apply to hairdressing and beauty salons, trade, air transport or organization of meetings.

Green Poland

Explaining the categorization of infections, Szumowski noted that most of Poland is "green". But - he added - "unfortunately there are areas where this growth is fast and there you need to react." He re-appealed for keeping the sanitary restrictions. "This applies to all of Poland, because if we do not want the red color to spread throughout Poland, let's try to follow the sanitary regime - wear a mask in shops and in public transport. Let it become our habit until there are no drugs and vaccines. "- he appealed.

In turn, Deputy Minister of Health Janusz Cieszyński informed that from 1 September 2020 the obligation to have a certificate of medical contraindications for covering the mouth and nose will be introduced. He indicated that such situations shall be very limited.

On Friday, 7 August 2020, the Ministry of Health reported 809 new coronavirus infections and the deaths of 13 people. A total of 50 324 cases and 1787 deaths have been recorded in Poland so far.

Source: gov.pl