10 days of quarantine – a new reality for foreigners arriving in Poland from June 24, 2021

Unfortunately, something happened that most people have already forgotten about – a mandatory quarantine for everyone arriving in Poland by any means of transport, starting on June 24, 2021. The duration of quarantine in Poland is 10 days.

Can I take the test to avoid quarantine in Poland?

The test does not exempt you from mandatory observation, but it may slightly reduce it. On the 7th day of quarantine, you can take a coronavirus test and, if the result is negative, you no longer have to serve quarantine. In practice, this does not really save the situation, because after taking the test, you will still need to wait until the test results are entered into the sanitary and epidemiological database at your place of residence, and this depends on the work of the clinic where the test was taken, the specific sanitary and epidemiological center, the speed of information processing, whether you have a PESEL number, the human factor, and much more.

Therefore, it may turn out that after taking the test, you will be released from quarantine on the 9th day, and this does not change much. In addition, the cheapest test costs an average of PLN 170. Workers who often pay for “quarantine housing” have no reason to spend additional money on the test, or they simply do not have the extra money. Therefore, quarantine is the most likely option.

Has quarantine been introduced for everyone?

No, the mandatory observation in Poland since June 24 applies to all those who have arrived in Poland from outside the Schengen area or countries outside the European Economic Area. In Europe, these are, in particular, the United Kingdom, Croatia, and Romania.

That is, if you, for example, go to work in Poland from Belarus, Moldova, or Georgia, quarantine is mandatory for you.

Also, if you are going on vacation in Europe, but the country you are going to is not in the Schengen area (for example, Croatia or Albania), you will need to undergo observation upon your return.

What is the reason for the new quarantine in Poland?

Officially, it is to prevent the spread of the new “Indian” coronavirus mutation.

What are the ways to avoid quarantine?

Persons who have been fully vaccinated with vaccines that are officially recognized in Poland are exempt from mandatory quarantine.