Poland is beginning to re-open to tourists, announcing new policy measures for visitors and organisations within the sector to help restore the tourism sector ahead of prospective border openings.
Poland has begun to ease up some of the restrictions imposed by lockdown, particularly in the hospitality industry. Hospitality and retail businesses were officially allowed to re-open earlier in May, based on conditions to follow strict regulations.
Poland is one of Europe?s lesser hit countries with under 20,000 cases and under 1000 deaths. This has enabled the country to re-open its hospitality industry. It is aiming to be well prepared to welcome back both domestic and foreign tourists.
Each business operating in the hospitality industry must adopt these procedures:
-Limits to the number of individuals staying in a building, both visitors and staff
-Implement temperature checks before entering a building - individuals who show possible symptoms of the disease will not be allowed to enter
-Staff must wear face masks and gloves all the time
-Provide regular disinfections of public areas and locations.
Visitors planning to visit Poland shall follow these advices:
-Only travel when you are in good health
-Only travel with the people you live with
-Cover your nose and mouth on public transport
-Observe sanitary and epidemiological safety rules in every place you visit
-Visit the Ministry of Development website for current updates before you book a hotel
-Avoid crowded places and keep social distancing wherever possible
-If you become sick during your trip, remain in your room, and notify the staff of the facility where you are staying
Polish hotels were allowed to re-open from May 18 where guests can dine only at their rooms. Restaurants, cafes, hairdressers and beauty salons also re-opened on May 18, but are obliged to keep people two metres apart.
Shopping centres, museums and galleries re-opened on May 4, allowing one customer per 15sqm of space. Face coverings in public will remain obligatory. Borders remain closed to all international arrivals until June 12.
?If the situation remains positive, we may be able to open our borders in late June. We would love to welcome back all foreign tourists, particularly those arriving from the UK. We are hoping that the ongoing situation will not discourage them from holidaying in our country and Poland will remain on their travel list,? summarised Iwona Bialobrzycka, director of Polish National Tourist office in London.
