As of Monday (April 20), a ban on moving, travelling and remaining in public places has been lifted. Furthermore, forests, parks and beaches have been reopened, with the exception of playgrounds and sport facilities. Children above 13 years of age may from now on move about without parents.
The spokesman for the Health Ministry, Wojciech Andrusiewicz, stressed on Monday the importance of keeping safe social distance. "We must still remember to keep social distance, (...) it has to be at least two metres away, even from person we walk along with. Except children requiring care," he said.
He added that covering mouth and nose in public was still compulsory, except when in forests. "Movement is very important for our physical and psychological well-being, but this need must not come together with the need for social integration," Andrusiewicz underscored.
He pointed out that the existing restrictions brought positive effects and should be observed. "If we compare our situation to that in other countries fighting with coronavirus, the spike in infections is lower. It's clear these restrictions brought the expected results and we've indeed curbed the increase. If they hadn't, then today probably we'd be talking about tens of thousands infected," he explained.
According to the latest government ordinance, from Monday on a ban on movement, travelling and remaining in public places has been lifted. It is allowed to enter public green spaces, including forests, squares, parks, promenades, boulevards and beaches. People may also remove face masks in forests.
The restriction that are still in effect include keeping at least 2 metres from the next person, wearing face masks in all public places at all times, with the exception of people requiring special assistance or having breathing condition. Playgrounds, zoos, campfire spots and sports facilities remain closed.
The new rules also allow more people in shops at one time. In stores bigger than 100 square metres, one person per 15m2 is allowed, whereas in smaller shops - four persons per one cash register. Between 10 and 12 all shops are only open for the elderly, but now only from Monday until Friday. At open markets and bazaars, the maximum number of people at one time must equal the number shops multiplied by four.
During masses or other religious ceremonies, one person per each 15m2 of the church is allowed, not counting the priest. No more than 50 people, excluding the priest and the pallbearers.
Minors above 13 years of age may now leave homes without parents.
Last week, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Health Minister Łukasz Szumowski announced successive stages of easing of the restrictions would depend on the epidemiological situation assessments.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP