Poland wants to lift most restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic by the end of May, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on Wednesday (April 28).
According to the schedule presented, part of the sporting activities, mainly outdoors, will be authorized from May 1st.
Shopping malls, furniture and DIY stores, as well as art institutions will be able to open their doors from May 4.
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The youngest Polish schoolchildren will be able to partially return to their classes on the same day and the oldest ones from May 15th. The government hopes that all schools will resume classes normally on May 29. The hotels are due to reopen their doors on May 8, while cafes and restaurants will be able to serve customers on the terraces from May 15, then from May 29 inside their establishments.
The Prime Minister also announced the gradual lifting of restrictions on sports, fitness and beauty establishments, thus increasing the number of people attending public gatherings from 25 to 50. Theaters and cinemas will be able to welcome their first spectators on May 29. According to Mateusz Morawiecki, the timetable for opening up the economy is strictly linked to that for vaccinations.
Almost 11 million Poles have been vaccinated so far, including 2.7 million with two doses, according to the health ministry. Poland has 38 million inhabitants. Poles will also be able to say goodbye to outdoor face masks from May 15, provided the number of infections is below 15 per 100,000 inhabitants. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health published on Wednesday, the total number of infections stands at 2,776,927 coronavirus infections (+ 8,895 in 24 hours), including 66,533 deaths (+636).