Reminiscent of the first lockdown in March, from tomorrow all bars, restaurants and cafes will only be permitted to operate take-away and delivery services. Though this policy stands to be reviewed in two weeks’ time, many are already fearing that the latest restrictions will prove catastrophic for a sector that was left floored by the original shutdown earlier in the year.

Additionally, primary schools will operate in a remote mode while parties, meetings and gatherings will be limited to five people unless they share the same household. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also announced a clampdown on meetings of over five people and instructed people aged 70 or over to remain at home unless it was to work, worship or “fulfill the necessary requirements of everyday life.”

Further, the Prime Minister warned that harsher measures – such as border closures – could be on the cards unless infections were dramatically curbed.

The latest news comes as the country struggles halt soaring infection rates; in an unprecedented move, it was announced earlier in the week that Warsaw’s National Stadium would be pressganged into serving as an emergency field hospital.