All of Poland is Considered a “Red” Zone

• Beginning October 24, all of Poland is considered a “red” zone with the following restrictions:
  • • Face coverings must be worn in all indoor and outdoor public spaces, except for parks, forests, and beaches.
    • Restaurants and bars are closed for in-person dining, with delivery and take-away service only.
    • Grocery stores, pharmacies, and post offices are open for seniors only (people age 60+) between the hours of 10:00 AM and Noon, Monday through Friday.
    • Only 50% of seats or 30% of all space may be used on public transport.
    • Weddings and other large gatherings are not permitted.
    • Up to five people who do not live together are permitted at public gatherings.
    • Grades four and above in primary schools and high schools and all universities must move to on-line classes.
    • On schooldays between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, children under the age of 16 may not leave home without an accompanying adult.
    • Cultural events may only use 25% of available seats.
    • Gyms, swimming pools, and health spas are closed.
    • Only five people per cashier allowed in stores of up to 100 square meters. In stores over 100 square meters, one person is allowed for every 15 square meters.
    • Up to one person per seven square meters permitted at church gatherings.
    • Seniors, especially people over age 70, are advised to limit their movements in public spaces, apart from their professional activities, fulfilling daily needs, or attending religious services.  A helpline for seniors has been established at +48 22 505 1111.
• For more information about the restrictions, please visit the Polish Government’s COVID-19 Page.
• The authorities have announced that the police will strictly enforce health and movement related restrictions.  Offenders could be fined up to 30,000 PLN for any violations.

Fines for Non-Compliance:

• Police may conduct random checks in any public spaces to ensure that people are following health and movement related restrictions, such as wearing face coverings.
• You may be fined up to 30,000 PLN for violating any health or movement restrictions.

Quarantine Information:

• Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? Yes
  • All travelers who are permitted to enter Poland, except for the categories mentioned below, must undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine at their place of stay in Poland. The following travelers are exempt from the quarantine requirement:
    • Citizens of Poland
    • Foreigners who are spouses or children of Polish citizens or remain under the permanent care of Polish citizens
    • Citizens and residents of European Union countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, and their spouses and children
    • Pupils and students enrolled in Polish educational institutions
    • Service members of the Polish Army or allied military service members, police officers, border guards, customs officers, fire brigade members, State Security Service members, Road Transport Inspection officers, or sea administration inspectors
    • Crew members on airlines, trains, shipping vessels, or offshore drilling platforms
    • Persons performing certain work in the oil and energy sectors
    • Drivers of commercial vehicles transporting goods or passengers
    • Diplomats and their family members assigned to Poland
• Individuals who present with possible symptoms of COVID-19 may be required to undergo testing and quarantine.  Individuals who are exposed to a COVID-19 positive person may be required to quarantine for a minimum of 10 days.
• If you feel ill: The Polish government has set up a national informational hotline for COVID-19 health-related inquiries. To reach this hotline, dial +48 800 190 590 and press 6 for an English-speaking operator. For emergency services, dial 112. The government has designated certain hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients. A list of these hospitals can be found here. More information about the steps the Polish government is taking to address the outbreak can be found at their website here.
• Polish social service agencies provide assistance in obtaining food and medicine to those who are under home quarantine due to COVID-19. These services are available to both Polish citizens and foreigners. In Krakow, call +48 887 202 946 or +48 887 202 947 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. or email kontakt@mops.krakow.pl after hours. In Warsaw, call +48 22 487 1300.

COVID-19 Testing:

• Several drive-through COVID-19/coronavirus testing centers are available in locations throughout Poland. For many locations, you can buy tests online at this website, and bring the code you receive to the test center you have selected. For testing in Sosnowiec, you can complete online forms at this website, then proceed to the testing location at the designated time. Neither the Polish nor the U.S. governments have implemented a requirement to be tested. The CDC website offers some factors to take into consideration when deciding whether or not to be tested.

Consular Operations:

• Due to COVID-19 related restrictions, we have limited the number of appointments for routine services to U.S. citizens, but appointments are available. Appointments for passport applications, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) applications, and notarial services can be scheduled at the appointments page on our website.
• Visa services at the Embassy are also limited, but appointments for certain categories of visas are available. More information can be found here.