Poland imposes Covid test and quarantine requirement on visitors

People travelling to Poland from the passport-free Schengen zone will have to produce a negative coronavirus test results carried out at least 48 hours earlier, a deputy infrastructure minister has said.

If they do not have a valid test, Schengen zone travellers will have to, like all non-Schengen zone visitors, go into quarantine, Marcin Horala told a press conference on Monday.

"All travellers coming to Poland from non-Schengen zone countries will have to go into quarantine, regardless of any test they may have," Horala said.

Piotr Mueller, the government spokesman, pointed out that the number of Covid-19 infections was growing both in Poland and other countries, including Germany.

However, all visitors will be able to take a Covid-19 test upon arrival. "If the result is negative in Poland, then the quarantine will be lifted," Horala said.

The new rules will significantly extend the time spent at the airport upon arrival by up to several hours, Horala warned.

Later in the day Mueller confirmed to PAP that those who had recovered from Covid-19 would not have to go into quarantine, but the recovery would only count if it only took place up to six months before the day of crossing the Polish border.

The quarantine exemption will also apply to vaccinated persons.

"This will concern people who hold an inoculation certificate for a vaccine approved by the European Union," the government press service said on Twitter later on Monday.

Other exemptions include professional drivers and students, Mueller added.