On Friday 13 March, the Prime Minister declared a 'State of Epidemic Threat' in Poland due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), enforcing new restrictions against travel (as of Sunday 15 March), regulations on businesses, and forbidding gatherings of over 50 people (effective immediately). The new restrictions included the unprecedented forced closure of all restaurants, bars, cafés, casinos and other places of entertainment. It is not clear how long these restrictions will be in place.
If you're reading this, you're most likely self-isolating, couped up indoors and binge-watching as many TV series as possible. Slightly boring, but OK, the circumstances are outwith our control and we have to just go with the flow. So far, so good, 8 episodes in to your favourite series of the moment and then the dreaded belly rumble hits. It's time to eat. You hopefully have enough food at home if you're here living here as an Expat or Erasmus student, but you may be a tourist stuck in a hotel room or rented apartment and don't have the luxury of stocking your own fridge. Hell, whatever your situation, you might just want to eat something from one of your favourite restaurants. Relax, it's not the end of the world.
...really, it's not the end of the world!
Although all restaurants in Gdynia have been 'closed,' these establishments are still allowed to offer delivery and fulfil takeaway orders, they simply cannot serve clients inside their establishments or allow the public to gather there. In order to survive, some (but not all) local restaurants have embraced takeawayand delivery options, either by calling them directly, or using online/app services like UberEats, Pyszne.pl and Glovo. Restaurants have also introduced their own additional measures to instil confidence amongst clients. These practices range from having their delivery people wear protective masks, wiping card terminals and cleaning hands with antibacterial gels/wipes after each transaction. Beyond this, some transactions are completely online based, meaning no physical contact with the delivery person, who simply places your order at your door, keeping their distance as they greet you. Below is a list of our favourite places in Gdynia that are still making food to order.
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