Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone in Poland is now required to cover their mouths and noses, and the soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are no exception.
The Warsaw Garrison Command posted a short video on social media showing how soldiers guarding the tomb must wearing protective masks.
“For the first time in history, soldiers are standing guard of honor at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in protection masks,” according to the video.
Po raz pierwszy w historii, żołnierze pełnią wartę honorową przy Grobie Nieznanego Żołnierza w maseczkach ochronnych. #zostanwdomu #pandemia #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/4aovpY9qfn
— Dowództwo GW (@DGWdowodztwo) April 16, 2020
As in the Czech Republic, the government has indefinitely imposed mandatory covering of mouths and noses in public areas using either clothing or masks. The restrictions are also mandatory in public transport, cars where people not from the same household are seated inside, roads, squares, trade, and service facilities and markets.
On Thursday morning, Law and Justice (PiS) leader Jarosław Kaczyński was photographed outside his house in Warsaw’s Żoliborz district. The politician left the premises while covering his mouth and nose with a protective mask. A bodyguard was waiting for him who also had taken the necessary safety precautions.
The new restrictions also apply to workplaces and buildings in public use, including those working public administration buildings, the judiciary, cultural and religious institutions, educational facilities, healthcare and social care, banking, trade, gastronomy, services including the post service and telecommunications, tourism, sport, railway, road, aviation, and maritime sectors.
Masks do not have to be worn by priests carrying out religious rites. Soldiers of the Polish and allied armed forces carrying out official services, including officers of the Military Counterintelligence Service, are also not required to wear masks, but the soldiers guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier do not fall under this exception.
