U.S. Embassy Warsaw will no longer send weekly updates, but will continue to send updates as new information becomes available to ensure all U.S citizens in the Warsaw Consular District have the latest information about COVID-19 (coronavirus) and local conditions.
August 6, 2020
Location: Poland
Event: Message to U.S. Citizens – Update on COVID-19 and Related Restrictions
New Updates:
- On August 6, the Polish Ministry of Health confirmed 49,515 cases of COVID-19 in Poland since the pandemic began. The Ministry also reported a total of 1,774 related deaths.
- For U.S. citizens in Poland who wish to return to the United States: Regular, commercial international flights from Poland are available. Travelers may book directly with airlines and address questions about travel options to transportation companies. The Embassy is not able to assist with making travel arrangements. Travelers are encouraged to explore the commercial options that are now available. Travelers returning to the United States are urged to stay at home for 14 days, and some cities and states may have stricter quarantine regulations. Please review information on returning to the United States from the Centers for Disease Control and the Health Department of the state to which you plan to travel.
- For U.S. citizens who wish to travel to Poland: As of August 6, Poland’s border restrictions for U.S. citizens remain unchanged. S. citizens who do not meet one of the existing exemptions will not be allowed to enter Poland. A list of exemptions can be found on the U.S. Embassy’s COVID-19 page. Enforcement of these restrictions will include random checks by the Polish Border Guard at land crossings, and travelers who attempt to circumvent Polish border restrictions may be subject to fines or other penalties. The Polish Border Guard determines who is allowed to enter Poland. The U.S. Embassy has no control over this process. If you have questions about whether your situation qualifies for an exemption or if you will be allowed to enter Poland, please contact the Border Guard by e-mail at zdsc.kg@strazgraniczna.pl or by phone at +48 22 500 4068, +48 22 500 4568, or +48 22 500 5468. At his time, the Embassy does not know when border restrictions will be fully lifted, but the Embassy will provide regular updates as more information becomes available. For U.S. citizens who qualify for an exemption, regular, commercial flights to Poland are available. Travelers may book directly with airlines and address questions about travel options to transportation companies.
- For U.S. citizens who wish to transit Poland en route to another destination: In some circumstances, travelers who are not permitted to enter Poland may transit through Warsaw Chopin Airport, if they arrive from a non-Schengen Area country and continue onward to another non-Schengen Area country. Travelers allowed to transit must remain in the airport non-Schengen transit zone while they wait for their connecting flight. For questions regarding specific itineraries and confirmation of whether or not transit through Warsaw will be allowed, travelers should contact the Border Guard by e-mail at zdsc.kg@strazgraniczna.pl or by phone at +48 22 500 4068, +48 22 500 4568, or +48 22 500 5468.
- For dual national Polish-American citizens who enter Poland on their Polish passports: Persons who enter Poland on a Polish passport must provide a valid, unexpired Polish passport upon departure. This is a Polish government requirement, and the U.S. Embassy does not have the authority to waive this requirement for dual national Polish-American citizens who wish to depart on their U.S. passport instead of their Polish passport.
- For U.S. citizens in Poland whose legal status has expired or will expire soon: The Polish government declared an Epidemic State of Emergency on March 14, 2020. Visas, temporary resident permits, and work permits that expire during the State of Emergency will be extended until 30 days after the conclusion of the State of Emergency. At this time, we do not know when the State of Emergency will end, but the Embassy will provide updated information as it becomes available.
- The Presidential Proclamation of March 11, which suspends entry to the United States of persons present in the Schengen Area in the last 14 days, remains in effect. S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents are exempt from the Proclamation and may travel to the United States from the Schengen Area. However, family members traveling on ESTA or a U.S. visa will not be able to travel to the United States from the Schengen Area (including transit through an airport in the Schengen Area), unless they meet one of the exemptions listed in the Proclamation.
- Due to COVID-19 related restrictions, we have limited the number of appointments for services to U.S. citizens, but appointments are available. Appointments can be scheduled at the appointments page on our website.
- Updates on movement restrictions announced by the Polish government:
- As of July 1, the European Union loosened some of their border restrictions, but Poland’s border restrictions and quarantine procedures for U.S. citizens remain unchanged. A list of exemptions for entry to Poland and quarantine procedures can be found on the S. Embassy’s COVID-19 page. International flights to/from Poland are now operating.
- On August 8, the government of Poland will reintroduce more stringent public health restrictions in 19 counties with elevated COVID-19 case numbers. For a list of counties and restrictions, please see the announcement from the Polish Ministry of Health.
- As of August 3, police are conducting random compliance checks in shops and other public, indoor spaces to ensure that people are wearing face coverings. People not following face covering requirements may be fined.
- As of May 30, face coverings are no longer required outside as long as social distancing is maintained; face coverings are still required inside public buildings and locations such as churches, cinemas, hair salons, restaurants, shops and public transport. There are no limits on the number of people in cultural and religious institutions, restaurants, cafes, bars, or churches, as long as face coverings are worn and social distance is maintained.
- As of July 17, the restrictions on the size of public gatherings have been lifted. Groups of more than 150 people are allowed, but participants must follow social distancing and face covering requirements.
- As of June 6, theaters, cinemas, operas, and ballets are permitted to operate again with special sanitary and social distancing requirements. Gyms, swimming pools, amusement parks, and children’s play areas are also allowed to open.
- More information about restrictions can be found in English on the S. Embassy’s COVID-19 page and on the Polish Government’s COVID-19 Page.
- Several drive-through COVID-19/coronavirus testing centers are open around Poland. For locations in many cities throughout Poland 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.
Actions to Take:
- Follow all restrictions that the Polish government has announced. These restrictions have been modified several times. A full list of current restrictions, as well as frequently updated guidance, can be found in English on the S. Embassy’s COVID-19 page and on the Polish Government’s COVID-19 Page. You may be subject to a fine of up to 30,000 Polish złoty for not adhering to these restrictions.
- Visit the CDC’s website about COVID-19 for up-to-date information from the U.S. government about the virus.
- Visit the State Department’s COVID-19 page and the S. Embassy’s COVID-19 page. Both have information specifically for travelers and the U.S. Embassy page is updated regularly with information relevant for U.S. citizens in Poland.
- Enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so the U.S. Embassy can contact you with updated information and in an emergency.
- Polish Government Resources:
- Visit the Polish Government’s COVID-19 Website for general health information, movement restrictions, and health tips.
- 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.
- 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 22 487-13-00.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy, Warsaw, Poland
Piękna 12
00-539, Warsaw
+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/
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.
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