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Poland relaxes face mask rules, allows public gatherings

30.05.2020 19:00
Poles will be able to go out in public without face masks as the country moves to the next phase of easing its coronavirus lockdown on Saturday.
Photo:
Photo:PAP/Wojtek Jargiło

Under the new, relaxed rules, people are no longer required to cover their mouths and noses when outdoors in public places as well as in some indoor environments.

In another move to ease coronavirus measures, all restrictions are now being lifted on how many people can gather in places such as retail outlets, restaurants and churches though face coverings and social distancing are still required.

As Poland lifts coronavirus curbs, public gatherings of up to 150 people are allowed from Saturday, and open-air concerts can also go ahead with limited attendance.

The government is set to give the go-ahead for weddings attended by up to 150 guests to be held with new safety protocols in place.

Meanwhile, theatres and indoor entertainment venues as well as sports facilities such as swimming pools and gyms will be allowed to reopen with safety measures from June 6 as part of the fourth stage of easing restrictions announced by the government.

Officials have said that venues such as theatres and concert halls will be given the green light to reopen to the public, but only up to 50 percent of their capacity and with social distancing and face covering rules.

But potential hot spots such as clubs and discos will have to remain closed for now, officials said this week as they outlined details of how the country plans to lift more of its COVID-19 containment measures.

A total of 23,376 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 1,051 deaths from the coronavirus so far, public health officials said on Saturday morning.

The first infection was confirmed by Polish authorities on March 4, while the country's first coronavirus fatality was announced on March 12.

A swathe of lockdown restrictions have since been eased.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP