Poland: Border restrictions with Slovakia to be lifted June 20 /update 14

Event

The Slovak government has announced that the border restrictions with Poland, introduced due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, will be lifted on Saturday, June 20. Polish citizens may enter Slovakia without the requirement to produce a negative COVID-19 test or a two-week quarantine upon return. Slovak citizens may also enter Poland without facing restrictions.

Polish authorities further relaxed lockdown measures on May 30. The wearing of face masks was made compulsory only on public transport, and in cinemas, shops, concert halls, churches, post offices, and government buildings. There is no limit imposed on the number of attendees for funerals or religious gatherings, nor on the number of customers in shops and restaurants. Strict hygiene measures are in place at leisure facilities such as gyms and swimming pools, which reopened from June 6. Public transport is operating on a reduced capacity to allow interpersonal distancing, and taxis will be allowed to continue operating.

The national carrier LOT has restarted domestic flights since the beginning of June. International flights were permitted to resume from Wednesday, June 17. However, international flights from outside the EU remain restricted. Flights between Poland, Sweden, Portugal, and the UK remain banned until June 30.

Authorities have lifted border controls with EU member states, and those entering from Germany and the Czech Republic will not be required to quarantine. Border checks with Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine remain in place. Travelers arriving from outside the EU may be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

As of Friday, June 19, authorities have confirmed 31,316 cases of COVID-19 and 1334 associated deaths in Poland. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.