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Polish hotels, malls reopen as virus curbs eased

04.05.2020 10:35
Hotels and shopping malls are free to reopen as Poland moves to the next phase of easing its coronavirus lockdown on Monday.
Photo:
Photo:PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

Cultural venues such as museums, art galleries and libraries are also allowed to open their doors to the public, with social distancing measures in place.

As the economy partially reopens, physical therapists can restart their businesses beginning on Monday to help people with rehabilitation needs.

The restrictions are being lifted after Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Health Minister Łukasz Szumowski last week announced the second phase of easing coronavirus restrictions in the country.

Poland last month eased some of its coronavirus lockdown curbs, allowing more customers into stores and reopening parks and forests.

The Polish prime minister said last month that a swathe of restrictions imposed to curb the epidemic would be relaxed in four stages, but the timing would depend on the progress of the disease.

A total of 13,937 people have tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 683 deaths from the coronavirus so far, public health officials said on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, 4,095 people have recovered from COVID-19 throughout the country since the start of the epidemic, the Polish health ministry also said.

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 has closed all pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Public gatherings of more than two people have been banned.

Health and government officials have urged Poles to stay home and practice social distancing.

People have been ordered to wear masks or other face coverings when out in public.

Schools are due to remain shut until May 24 as Poland battles the epidemic.

Meanwhile, nurseries and preschools throughout the country have been given the greenlight to resume operations from Wednesday.

The country is also set to reopen outdoor sports areas from Monday and plans to allow its top football league to resume behind closed doors at the end of this month.

Photo: Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

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Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info