PM announces state of epidemic emergency

Polish Prime Minister MateuszMorawiecki said on Friday that Poland has introduced a state of epidemic emergency in connection with the spread of the coronavirus.
Morawiecki said that the emergency laws brought new prerogatives and duties.

He added that the new regulations contained some facilitations but also imposed new obligations on society. The prime minister also announced the introduction of tougher penalties for breaking quarantine rules.

People under the mandatory 14-day quarantine period who break the isolation rules
will face a fine of PLN 30,000 (€6,624). The penalty has been raised six-fold in a bid to contain the coronavirus epidemic.

Morawiecki also said that schools will remain closed until Easter, as the resumption of
classes now could cause the virus to spread faster. This year's Easter school break is scheduled for April 9-14. Creches, children's clubs and universities will also remain closed until Easter.

Till the late hours of March 22, there were 627confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2. Seven people died.

(PAP)