“We are dealing with an escalation of the pandemic,” said Health Minister Adam Niedzielski, adding that Poland could see more than 2,000 new cases a day over the next two weeks.
Red alert
Under new rules, pubs, bars and restaurants will have to close at 10pm in “red” zones, where the risk of COVID-19 is the highest.
In “yellow” zones - areas judged to have the second-highest level of risk - people will be obliged to wear face masks in open spaces. Such rules have up to now applied only to areas with the most infections.
The new measures are likely to come into force in mid-October, officials said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Poland is raising the number of “red” zones from two to 17, and the number of “yellow” ones from 19 to 34.
Fines for rule-breakers
In another move to curb the spread the virus, the authorities are set to get tougher on people flouting safety rules, an official warned.
Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska voiced concern that some people were not covering their mouths and noses in stores and shopping malls, so increasing the risk of infection.
"There will certainly be stepped-up checks now. There won’t be reprimands any more, but unfortunately there will be fines," he said.
Poland on Thursday reported a new record daily rise in coronavirus infections, confirming 1,967 new cases, the most since the pandemic hit the country in early March.
The death toll increased by 30, according to public health authorities.
Poland’s previous daily record was when 1,587 new coronavirus infections were confirmed nationwide on Friday, September 25.
With 65 COVID-19 deaths per million population, Poland remains far less affected by the coronavirus epidemic than many other countries in Europe, according to figures released by the country’s health ministry this week.
(pk)
Source: PAP