Hungary reopens while Poland extends curbs amid fears of Easter bounce

Poland will extend COVID-19 restrictions until April 18, its health minister said on Wednesday, as the country struggles to cope with a third wave of infections that authorities fear could be aggravated by people mixing at Easter.

Like its central European neighbours, Poland has seen its health service pushed to the brink by spiralling COVID-19 case numbers. Some regions have come close to running out of ventilators and the government has imposed tougher restrictions on daily activity nationwide to try and contain the contagion.

“We have a difficult situation in hospitals

– yesterday over 34,500 beds were occupied and over 3,300 ventilators were in use. These levels, which are close to 80%, are dangerous levels,” Health Minister Adam Niedzielski told a news conference.

“…We have decided that the restrictions in place will be extended by a period of over a week…The extended safety regulations will be in place until April 18.”

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