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Barbers, bars and restaurants reopen as Poland eases lockdown

18.05.2020 06:50
Hairdressers, beauty parlours, restaurants, bars and cafes across Poland were set to re-open on Monday as the country moves into a third phase of easing its coronavirus lockdown rules.
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay Pixabay License

Greater number of passengers will be allowed onto public transport.

On Sunday, more worshippers were allowed into churches – one person per every 10 square metres.

But Poles still have to wear masks or other face coverings when out in public, with officials advising them to keep their distance from others.

The amount of customers that restaurants, bars and cafes can serve will depend on the size of the premises.

When announcing the loosening of restrictions last week, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki urged Poles to stay disciplined.

He told a press conference: “A return to normality is very much needed but at the same time it’s possible thanks to the fact we’re protecting ourselves, thanks to social distancing, through using disinfection measures. Let’s maintain this discipline.”

A total of 18,529 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 925 deaths from the coronavirus so far, officials said on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, 7,451 people have recovered from COVID-19 throughout the country, according to the health ministry.

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

Some restrictions were relaxed in April, while hotels and shopping malls were allowed to reopen earlier this month as the country moved to the next phase of easing its coronavirus lockdown.

Poland has also reopened outdoor sports areas and plans to allow its top football league to resume behind closed doors at the end of this month.

(pk/gs)