Poland is intending to reopen its borders to tourists. The country has announced new policy measures for visitors and organizations within the sector to support it after border openings. The Ministry of Development and the Polish Tourism Organisation has set detailed guidelines for hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Hospitality and retail businesses were officially allowed to re-open earlier in May while following strict regulations.
Poland was able to contain the impact of the outbreak with its effective COVID-19 strategy, with under 20,000 cases and 1,000 deaths.
The following measures must be adopted by all businesses in the hospitality industry
- Limit 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 disinfection of public areas and locations such as counters, handles, payment terminals, hotel room keys, elevators, toilets, etc.
Other implemented measures
Polish hotels were allowed to re-open from Monday, with restaurants remaining closed. Guests could only order room service. This also applies to hotel gyms, shared spaces, and swimming pools, which remained closed. Restaurants, cafes, hairdressers, and beauty salons also re-opened as of Monday, as long as they adhere to social distancing (2 meters apart).
Shopping centers, museums, and galleries re-opened on May 4th, allowing one customer per 15 square meters of space. Face covering remains mandatory in public. Until 12th June, international arrivals are restricted from entering Poland.
Iwona Bialobrzycka, director of the Polish National Tourist office in London said, “We would love to welcome back all foreign tourists, particularly those arriving from the UK. Over the last few years, we have noticed a significant growth in the number of Brits visiting Poland. We are hoping that the ongoing situation will not discourage them from holidaying in our country and Poland will remain on their travel list.”
