Poland - Restrictions - Nationwide
Reed & Mackay Travel Update Service 29 November 2020, 11:23 AM
Incident: COVID-19 restrictions
Location(s): Nationwide (map)
Time Frame: Indefinite
Impact: Travel and business disruptions
Summary
Poland is maintaining nationwide entry restrictions as of Nov. 29 as part of efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Citizens and residents of EEA member states, as well as those of Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, and the UK, are permitted to enter without restriction. Persons entering Poland from elsewhere, as well as individuals who have been close to people infected with COVID-19 or who live with a person who is self-isolating, must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival. Entry restrictions for most foreign nationals remain in place, except for the following:
- Spouses, children, or dependents of Polish or EEA citizens
- Foreigners who hold a Polish identity card (Karta Polaka)
- Foreigners who are permanent or temporary residents of Poland
- Students enrolled in Polish educational institutions
- Scientists who are conducting research or developmental work in Poland
- Foreigners with valid work visas
Poland has banned international flights connecting with several locations of high COVID-19 activity. As of Nov. 29, the list of such locations includes Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Jordan, Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, and the US (other than connections to airports in Illinois and New York states). Officials are maintaining entry restrictions on the Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine borders.
Authorities relaxed restrictions on nonessential shops operating in shopping malls Nov. 28, providing that they operate according to high hygiene and social-distancing mandates. The following measures, which were previously due to expire Nov. 29, remain in place:
- Theaters, cinemas, museums, art galleries, community centers, and music centers are closed.
- Hotels are available only to business travelers.
- Shops smaller than 100 square meters (1076 square feet) can have one customer per 10 square meters (107 square feet) of space; shops larger than 100 square meters can have one customer per 15 square meters (161 square feet) of space.
- Swimming pools, aquaparks, and gyms are closed.
- Public gatherings of more than five people are prohibited.
- Bars are closed, and restaurants limited to takeout services only until at least Dec. 27.
- Online learning is mandatory for all universities and primary schools until mid-January.
- Persons over the age of 70 are advised to remain at home.
- Capacity limits remain in place on public transport and people must wear protective face coverings in all public places.
Restrictions could be extended, reimposed, or otherwise amended based on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Background and Analysis
The current nationwide restrictions temporarily replace the previous two-tier system under which authorities had divided local areas into "yellow" or moderate-risk zones and "red" or high-risk zones.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as these may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.
Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.
Resources
Polish Government
Anti-Crisis Financial Measures
List of Areas on the Red List
World Health Organization (WHO)
Italy - Restrictions - Nationwide
Reed & Mackay Travel Update Service 28 November 2020, 8:37 PM
Incident: COVID-19 restrictions
Location(s): Nationwide (map)
Time Frame: Indefinite
Impact: Severe travel and business disruptions
Summary
Authorities in Italy plan to further tighten measures introduced to combat the spread of the Authorities in Italy revised coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures due to a change in the level of disease activity. Starting Nov. 29, officials will downgrade Lombardy, Piedmont, and Calabria from red to orange, while authorities will downgrade Sicily and Liguria from orange to yellow. The tiers are assigned depending on the local disease activity and healthcare capacity.
A nationwide 2200-0500 curfew has been in effect since Nov. 5; individuals must stay at home during this period unless performing essential tasks. Anyone leaving their homes for essential reasons will be required to fill out a self-declaration form. Other nationwide restrictions include:
- The use of facemasks in all outdoor and indoor public spaces, including in schools and workplaces. Children under the age of six are exempt from this requirement.
- Cultural facilities such as museums and galleries are closed.
- Shopping centers must remain closed on weekends.
- Public transport is limited to 50-percent capacity.
- High schools must switch to distance learning.
These additional measures will remain in force until at least Dec. 3. Previously, authorities required restaurants and bars to close at 1800 daily, prohibited gatherings of more than six persons, empowered local authorities to close crowded areas after 2100, and asked the public to limit unnecessary trips and avoid public transport where possible.
Yellow regions will be subject to national level restrictions.
In orange regions, in addition to the national level restrictions, catering establishments must close but may still offer delivery and takeaway services until 2200; movement between regions remain prohibited except for work, study, health, and other essential reasons.
In red regions, in addition to the national level restrictions, most nonessential businesses, including catering establishments, must close. Schools must switch to online learning, and organized sports are prohibited. Moreover, all movement between and within regions remain prohibited except for work, study, health, or other essential reasons. Individuals conducting restricted travel for essential reasons in orange and red zones must fill out a self-declaration form to be presented to authorities on request. Authorities will review the situation weekly and revise region categories every 15 days should the situation warrant.
COVID-19-related international entry restrictions also remain in effect for travelers from certain countries. Individuals traveling from Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, or who have visited these countries in the previous 14 days, must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 molecular or antigenic test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Alternatively, individuals may opt to take a test at the airport, or self-isolate and arrange to take a test within 48 hours of arrival for airports without testing capabilities; a positive result will require the traveler to quarantine until two consecutive negative tests have been recorded. Travelers from most other EU countries, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and the Vatican City, are permitted to enter Italy without restriction. Travelers from Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay are also permitted to enter but must self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.
All travel from Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Kosovo, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Serbia is prohibited, except for Italian residents and their immediate families, and for government workers. Travel is prohibited from all other countries, except when conducted for study, proven work needs, or urgent reasons such as health; all such arrivals are also required to register and self-isolate for 14 days on arrival. Transport and health workers, individuals in transit through Italy, and those staying in Italy for less than 120 hours for work reasons are not required to self-isolate.
All international arrivals, except those from San Marino and Vatican City, are required to fill out a self-declaration form prior to arrival that must be presented to authorities upon request.
Authorities in Italy previously extended the nation's state of emergency until Jan. 31. The measure gives the central government the authority to tighten restrictions and allocate resources nationwide at short notice.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.
Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.
Resources
Government of Italy
Self-Declaration For for Travel Within Italy
Country Level Status for Entry to Italy
List of Countries from where Travelers Face Restrictions Upon Entry in Italy
COVID-19 Related Hotline Numbers
Self-Declaration Form for Travelers to Italy
World Health Organization (WHO)