Policies Aimed at Combating COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis in Poland

Abstract

Abstract Subject and purpose of work The aim of the paper is to present the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland and measures undertaken in order to prevent the spread of the disease and mitigate its results. The specific objective concerns evaluation of anti-crisis measures enacted during the pandemic in Poland. Materials and methods The paper is based on an analysis of official data provided by state institutions and reports on the course of the pandemic in Poland, as well as academic papers on the subject matter in question. The author employed an analytical and descriptive method in order to outline the course and assess the economic and social phenomena occurring during the pandemic. Results The state of the pandemic in Poland was announced on March 2020 and lifted in May 2023. During that period, Poland experienced two major waves of increased infections and excess deaths, which led to significant biological, economic and social damage, as well as major losses. The state has implemented an efficient and quite effective anti-pandemic measures aimed at protecting the lives and health of citizens, as well as anti-crisis policies to counter and limit the adverse effects of the ongoing pandemic in the form of an extensive financial aid in the form of the so-called Anti-Crisis Fund, which was continuously replenished. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic in Poland was an unprecedented and unpredictable phenomenon, which resulted in clear threat to the life and health of the population. It also brought upon a danger of an economic recession and social crisis, which could have resulted in deep economic crisis. The anti-pandemic measures introduced by the Polish government, as well as the anti-crisis measures implemented in quick succession, saved the country from a deep crisis and recession. There is a need for further research into the causes, course, as well as the immediate and long-term impacts of the pandemic.