Poland to introduce new coronavirus measures

By Busra Nur Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) - Poland will introduce new restrictions after it reported its highest single-day jump in the number of coronavirus cases on Wednesday, according to media reports.

Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said measures already in place in the four hardest-hit regions will be extended across that country beginning March 20 for three weeks, Polish news agency PAP reported.

Hotels, cinemas, theatres and sports facilities will be closed, while restrictions will be imposed on shopping malls, said Niedzielski, who added that a nationwide lockdown will be introduced if the new measures do not slow infections.

Niedzielski said the British variant of the virus constitutes 52% of new cases.

Authorities announced that 25,052 new cases were detected in the past 24 hours -- the highest single-day rise in 2021.

Poland also reported 453 fatalities, bringing the death toll to 48,032. The number of cases stands at 1.95 million.