Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Warsaw, Poland (March 11, 2020)
Location: Poland
Event: There is an ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) first identified in Wuhan, China. The global public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, with more than 114,000 reported cases worldwide.
On March 11, the Polish Ministry of Health announced 27 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Poland, including in Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Raciborz, Zielona Gora, Katowice, Szczecin, and Ostroda.
The government of Poland has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. There are health-screening checkpoints at major land border crossings with all neighboring countries, including roads and railways, at seaports, and at airports. Travelers entering Poland may be required to provide their travel itinerary and contact information, and they may be screened for symptoms of a possible COVID-19 infection. If authorities suspect a COVID-19 infection, passengers may be directed to immediately report to a quarantine facility for testing and possible legally mandated quarantine. Travelers should be prepared for new travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Visit the websites of the Main Sanitary Authority (in Polish) or National Health Fund (in English), or call +48 800 190 590 for additional information on these new measures.
The Polish government has closed all schools, universities, and cultural institutions, including theaters, museums, and cinemas, until March 25. All mass events with over 500 or over 1000 people, depending on the type and location of the event, have been banned.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Poland.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
- Be prepared for possible disruption to planned travel if you are placed under quarantine.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy, Warsaw, Poland
+48 22 504 2784 (business hours)
+48 22 504 2000 (after hours emergencies involving U.S. citizens)
ACSWarsaw@state.gov
https://pl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/
- U.S. Consulate General, Krakow, Poland
+48 12 424 5100 (business hours)
+48 601 483 348 (after hours emergencies involving U.S. citizens)
KrakowACS@state.gov
https://pl.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulate/krakow/
- State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Poland Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
