Poland introduces stricter enforcement of coronavirus limits

Poland will introduce new coronavirus restrictions from Saturday in the hardest hit areas, the health minister said on Tuesday, including stricter enforcement of rules about wearing masks and a ban on using some venues for dancing.

"Only those with a medical certificate from a doctor can choose not to mask wear a mask where it is mandatory...any person who doesn't wear a mask (and doesn't have a certificate) will face the harshest of punishments," Poland's Health Minister Adam Niedzielski told a news conference.

The country reported 2,236 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, close to Saturday's record of 2,367. With a population of 38 million, Poland has reported 104,316 cases overall and 2,717 deaths.