Polish PM announces state of epidemic emergency

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Friday that Poland has introduced a state of epidemic emergency to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

At a joint press conference with Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski and Education Minister Dariusz Piontkowski, Morawiecki said the emergency laws were necessary to enable the proper execution of quarantine and other preventive measures. He added that the new regulations also imposed new obligations on society.

The prime minister also announced the introduction of tougher penalties for breaking quarantine rules and affecting location-tracking of people under quarantine.

Morawiecki also said that schools will remain closed until Easter.

The number of Poland's confirmed coronavirus cases has risen to 425, five people died from the COVID-19, the Polish Health Ministry announced on Friday evening.

(CGTN)