[UPDATED 16.03] Coronavirus & Traveling to Krakow & Poland

Currently there are 2 persons diagnosed positively as having the coronavirus (and therefore having the Covid-19 disease) in Kraków, Poland.

So far 177 people were diagnosed positively as having the coronavirus in Poland. 4 people have died.

Since 15th March, the Polish borders are closed for foreigners for 10 days with extension of another 20 days and after that, a further 30 days being possible. If you come (airplanes included), you will be sent back.
If you’re tied to Poland (for example you live here), the authorities might let you in, but you will have to be quarantined for 14 days at your home.
Kraków is safe for you for now. However, YOU might not be safe for Kraków – hence the quarantine. You might have problems coming to your home country (for example: USA cancelled all flights from the European Union).

Since 15th March, the Polish borders are closed for foreigners for 10 days with extension of another 20 days and after that, a further 30 days being possible. If you come (airplanes included), you will be sent back.
If you’re tied to Poland (for example you live here), the authorities might let you in, but you will have to be quarantined for 14 days at your home.
To double-check if nothing has changed, click here to open the Krakow Airport’s website in a new tab.

You will be sent back to your country if you come after 15th March. You may face another quarantine in your home country.

Yes, you can travel everywhere normally. You can not, however, buy tickets from the driver or go near him/her. You have to buy the ticket from a machine which is inside most of the vehicles or at the stops.
Doors open automatically – you should not click the “open door” button on the public transport.
There will be some minor changes in the tram & bus schedules beginning Monday 16th March. View the schedule from Monday.

Yes, some (not many) flights are cancelled due to the coronavirus spread in countries outside of Poland – mostly Italy. Be sure to check your flight.

Currently all exhibitions at the Wawel Castle are closed for tourists until 25th March 2020, with extension being possible.
Click here to open the Wawel Castle’s website in a new tab.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is closed for tourists until 25th March 2020, with extension being possible.
Click here to open the Wieliczka Salt Mine’s website in a new tab.

Yes, the Auschwitz concentration camp is closed until 25th March 2020, with extension being possible.
Click here to open the Auschwitz’s website in a new tab.

As a precaution, the authorities have decided to close most tourist attractions, including museums, the Wawel Castle and Wieliczka Salt Mine until 25th March 2020, with extension being possible.

Yes, as a precaution almost all events are cancelled at least until 25th March and likely for longer.
The authorities have also issued a cancellation of any events above 50 people.
Check with the event which you wanted to go to just to be sure.

Yes, churches and Saint Mary’s Basilica in Krakow’s Main Square are open both for tourists and masses (up to 50 people at the same time), but things might change in a matter of hours, so check the websites of churches before going there.

Restaurants and pubs were closed beginning 14th March, for at least 14 days. Shops are open.
The authorities have stated (12 March) that shops will remain open and that there are no plans to close any stores. Shopping malls should be partially closed.

People do make some preparations for the coronavirus, but so far everything is fully available without any issues. Currently it’s a bit hard to buy toilet paper in the evening, but it’s replenished daily in the mornings.

See this article: Where to go in Krakow when everything is closed?
Churches are still open (up to 50 people at the same time), including the St. Mary’s Basilica (Mariacki Church) at the Main Square.
You can go sight-seeing along the Vistula (Wisła) River and to the Main Square. When on the Main Square, you can view the nearby Collegium Novum building and Florianska Street (be warned that there will probably be quite a few people there).
On 12 March the Tatra Mountains have been closed for tourists. You can still go to Zakopane – a city in the Tatra Mountains, 2 hours away from Krakow. You can drive near the mountains by car, all the way to Slovakia (but the border with Slovakia is closed for foreigners, so you can’t go to Slovakia). This is probably your safest and best way to spend the time. Be sure to use freely available gloves at petrol stations.

No. If you come to Poland after 15th March, you will sent back. This decision was made 13th March.
If your travel plans are for the end of March or for April, things might change here and you should monitor the situation.

Since 15th March, you will have to try another way of transport to leave Poland (probably by car, bus, ferry or foot). International planes and trains are to be cancelled.

There is a 24/7 free hotline available if you’re suspecting you might have the coronavirus. Call (+48) 800 190 590.