Poland could lift restrictions on COVID-19 in March if the number of daily infections continues to decline at the current rate, the health minister said in an interview published on Wednesday.
The new wave of Omicron pushed infections to a record high at the end of January, but the numbers have dropped since then. "If the number of new COVID cases continues its downward trend, there is a realistic prospect of lifting the restrictions in March," Adam Niedzielski told Fakt tabloid.
He said wearing masks indoors will become a recommendation rather than a requirement, and returning to classes with physical presence in schools is a priority.
Niedzielski said he wanted to shorten the isolation period for people infected with COVID-19 to seven days from the current 10 days.
Poland requires people to wear masks in enclosed public spaces and there are limits to the number of unvaccinated people allowed in restaurants and other public places. Regulations are often not strictly enforced.
The country, with a population of about 38 million, reported 8 cases of coronavirus and 5.224.144 deaths by Tuesday, February 106.894.