Coronavirus (COVID19) in Krakow
Anda Alexandra Rosiek (She/Her)
Training & Communications AVP State Street | ?? #TheTwistedRedLadyBug Blog Owner | ?? Communication & People = My Superpowers??| Embracing Change | ???? Women Empowerment | ?? Storyteller
Dearest sweethearts,
I hope you are all doing well. It has been over a week of #StayAtHome self-imposed quarantine, due to the outbreak of Coronavirus in Poland. There are many trusted sources I use for a regular checkup on how the virus spread affects the world and Poland (more specifically), so I thought I would share them with you:
- The Polish Government website, dedicated for this - it has the most up-to-date info and it is in the English language as well
- The John Hopkins website - an interactive map that shows the world and the degree the virus is spreading
- https://zdrowie.wprost.pl/ also updates frequently (several times per hour) the status of the virus spread in PL and abroad. It has a lot of very good and secure information, but the site is in the Polish language. You will need to translate it!
Are there Coronavirus (COVID19) cases in Krakow?
Yes, there are! Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Kraków. There are only 12 confirmed cases reported in the city and the surrounding voivodeship of Ma?opolska (ENG: Lesser Region of Poland) since March 9th (23.03.2020 - morning).
Are there any deaths in Poland due to Coronavirus (COVID19)?
The first death reported (due to COVID19) in Poland was in Poznań on March 12. So far there have only been 3 total deaths attributed to Coronavirus, but that will surely increase as time goes on.
What are the current limitations imposed by the Polish Government?
Here are some of the limitations imposed by the Polish Government: as of 14 March 2020 until further notice, the following restrictions apply in the Republic of Poland:
- restrictions on the operation of shopping centers (pharmacies, grocery stores, and drug stores remain open everywhere, including in shopping centers!),
- ban on public, national and religious gatherings of more than 50 people. The ban applies both to indoor and outdoor gatherings.
All stores which sell clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, tools, and any other products remain open. The restrictions apply solely to shops located in shopping centers.
The following stores remain open in shopping centers:
- grocery stores,
- pharmacies,
- chemist’s stores,
- launderettes.
Banks and financial service outlets are operating normally.
Can I still come to visit Krakow? Are museums, restaurants, and hotels open?
Polish Prime Minister announced (on the 11th of March) the closure of all cultural venues and institutions, including museums, theatres, and cinemas, across all of Poland. With this announcement, Kraków's tourism industry, services, and attractions have essentially been shut down for the foreseeable future.
Bars, casinos and other places of entertainment are closed as of Sunday, March 15. Restaurants and cafés are also closed, however, they are allowed to provide takeaway and food delivery services.
Are the Postal Services still working?
National postal service Poczta Polska has announced it will stop sending and receiving international shipments from 16 March until further notice. Working hours on business days will be reduced to six hours (14:00-20:00) and for three hours on Saturday. Their 24-hour branches will also be reduced - they will operate 7 days a week, 8:00-20:00. However, customer service points in Shopping Malls will be closed.
Tips!!! The risk of contracting coronavirus can be lowered!!!
Wash your hands often
Remember to often wash your hands using soap. If it is impossible, disinfect them with alcohol-based (at least 60%) liquids/gels. The virus can be transferred from infected surfaces on the hands, so you lower the risk of infection by washing your hands often. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Keep safe distance
Keep at least 1 – 1.5-meter distance from coughing, sneezing or feverish person. Avoid big gatherings.
Protect others if you cough or sneeze yourself
If you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a bent arm or a tissue and immediately dispose of it into a closed bin. Wash your hands with water and soap or disinfect them with alcohol-based (at least 60%) liquids. Covering your mouth and nose as you cough and sneeze prevent germs, including viruses, from spreading.
Regularly wash and disinfect touch surfaces
Wash surfaces often touched by many people, such as desks, counters and tables, door handles, switches and handrails with water and detergent. All places which the household members often use should be carefully disinfected. Remember that microbes collect easily on mobile phones. Regularly disinfect your mobile phone (e.g. with wet wipes soaked with a disinfectant). Do not put a mobile phone on the table and do not use it as you eat.
If you have any questions about Coronavirus in Poland, in Krakow and how it affects us, please do comment below or reach out to my Facebook Page.
Hope you all stay safe!
Yours sincerely,
#TheTwistedRedLadyBug