But Poles will have to continue wearing face masks in public until a vaccine against the COVID-19 disease is developed, the country's health minister said.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a news conference that the partial relaxation of rules heralded a “return to a new normality, a new economic reality.”
Four stages
He said the easing of restrictions on public life would take place in four stages from Monday, but the timing would depend on the progress of the epidemic.
Morawiecki added: “The battle against the coronavirus is not ending today but we are moving into a counter-offensive.”
He told journalists that shops up to 100 square metres in size will be able to serve four customers per till at a time, while larger stores will be allowed to have one client per 15 square metres. The latter rule will also apply to people in churches.
Hotels, libraries, museums and art galleries will be permitted to re-open in the second phase of lifting restrictions, public broadcaster Polish Radio reported.
In the third stage, restaurants and barber shops will be allowed to serve customers again.
Health Minister Łukasz Szumowski Photo: PAP/Mateusz Marek
'We're going to have to learn to live with the epidemic'
Health Minister Łukasz Szumowski told the conference: “We're going to have to learn to live with the epidemic in the near future – [and] for a longer period.”
Asked by a reporter when Poles would be allowed to venture outside without wearing masks or scarves, a stern-faced Szumowski replied: “When there’s a vaccine.”
New rules obliging citizens to cover their nose and mouth when out in public came into force on Thursday.
Close to 8,000 coronavirus cases
A total of 7,918 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 314 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Thursday afternoon.
The first infection was confirmed by Polish authorities on March 4, while the country's first coronavirus fatality was announced on March 12.
Poland has since declared a "state of epidemic" and temporarily closed its borders to non-residents in a move to curb the spread of the illness.
International scheduled flights and passenger rail connections were suspended on March 15.
In another move to contain the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the government limited the operations of shopping malls and closed all pubs, clubs and entertainment venues.
Public gatherings of more than two people have been banned.
Health and government officials have urged Poles to stay home and practice social distancing.
An initial two-week closure of the country’s schools has been extended until April 26.
(pk/gs)
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