Poland is targeting a return of tourism next months as it eases some of its lockdown restrictions, including in the hospitality sector.
Detailed guidelines for hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions have been announced by the Ministry of Development and the Polish Tourism Organisation.
While borders remain closed to international visitors until June 12, hospitality and retail businesses were allowed to re-open from May 18.
There will be limits to the number of individuals staying in a building, both visitors and staff, and temperature checks must be made before guests enter – with individuals who show possible symptoms not allowed in.
Staff must wear face masks and gloves all the time and regularly disinfect public areas and locations such as counters, handles, payment terminals, hotel room keys, elevators and toilets. Guests are only permitted to dine in their rooms.
Poland is asking all future visitors to only travel when in good health, with people they live with, and to cover their nose and mouth on public transport.
Visitors are also urged to avoid crowded places and keep to social distancing measures “wherever possible”. The country also asks any visitors who become unwell during their stay to stay in their hotel room and notify staff.
Poland has had about 19,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and recorded 941 deaths.
Restaurants and cafes also reopened on May 18, and are obliged to keep people two metres apart.
Shopping centres, museums and galleries re-opened on May 4, allowing one customer per 15sqm of space. Face coverings in public will remain obligatory.
Iwona Bialobrzycka, director of the Polish National Tourist office in London, said: “If the situation remains positive, we may be able to open our borders in late June. We would love to welcome back all foreign tourists, particularly those arriving from the UK. Over the last few years, we have noticed a significant growth in the number of Brits visiting Poland. We are hoping that the ongoing situation will not discourage them from holidaying in our country and Poland will remain on their travel list.”
Elsewhere in Europe, Austrian capital Vienna has announced it is due to reopen hotels, restaurants and shops from May 29.