The diplomatic and consular services are fully mobilised and are working round the clock as an extraordinary measure. In the light of the current situation, the MFA has put in place organisational arrangements at its offices to enhance its response capacity to the needs of Poles. The missions abroad are operating under emergency procedures and special teams have been set up to help our citizens.

If necessary, consuls help Poles with finding alternative accommodation, identify reliable carriers, and provide information on available health services. If Poles encounter problems extending their visas, the consuls also seek to assist them in their communications with local migration services. The missions send in daily reports on the epidemiological situation in their countries of accreditation and on the situation at the borders. In total, the Crisis Management Team processes more than 200 reports from all over the world and forwards them to the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate and the Ministry of Health. On an ongoing basis, we are working with the foreign ministries of the neighbouring countries to address issues emerging after the closure of borders.

The MFA has set up a helpline for Polish citizens seeking assistance or information about disruptions at the borders, on (+ 48) 22 523 88 80. We are trying to respond to the questions as they arise from our compatriots in need abroad. The helpline is operated by 65 consultants working in a three-shift system. The helpline has largely reduced the workload for the missions enabling them to concentrate their resources on tasks on the ground. Only on Sunday, 15 March, more than 12,000 people were provided with information both on the phone and by email.

The Polish Government has launched a special campaign, #LotDoDomu, for Poles who, as a result of the interruption of commercial flights and because of the distance, are unable to cross the Polish border by road. Under this initiative, three options have been made available of returning to Poland by air: existing charters, dedicated LOT charters, and special needs flights. The MFA continues to verify the information on our citizens who are abroad and need help. In cooperation with LOT, charter flights are being optimised so as to enable Poles abroad to return home as effectively as possible.

Tickets for the special LOT Polish Airlines flights can be bought at www.lot.com. On Sunday, 15 March, there were flights from London, Chicago, New York, and Malta, which brought 1,300 people home.

Flights from Barcelona, Colombo, Dublin, Larnaca, London, Malta, Reykjavik, and Tbilisi are scheduled to arrive on Monday, 16 March. You may also signal your need for a flight to be arranged from other locations at the lotDoDomu.com website. The operation “LOT do domu” to return Poles home will continue until further notice.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo Adam Guz / Chancellery of the Prime Minister