Some Poles flout virus rules as harder lockdown takes effect

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Piw Paw club in Warsaw advertised its event as a “Pandemic Fashion Show," with models wearing “masks from the Spring 2021 collection.”

But even before the show could start on Friday night, police swept in. They cleared away the few customers and arrested the club owner, who has defiantly kept his doors open despite pandemic restrictions banning the sale of alcohol or indoor dining — and despite earlier police raids and detentions.

A raft of new pandemic restrictions are taking effect in Poland on Saturday to slow the spread of infection as the central European region has emerged as a global virus hot spot.

But authorities are already having problems with people flouting pre-existing rules.

Piw Paw owner, Michal Maciag, says he is close to bankruptcy. He has used different ruses to try to stay open. Though he said he doesn't consider the coronavirus worse than other diseases and does not wear a mask, Maciag has declared his bar a “mask factory.” On Friday evening several people were sewing masks in a corner.

Those drinking beer did not “buy” the beer, which is illegal, they asked for a “degustation.” A tip box was set up for those who wished to make a donation.

Maciag's continued insistence on opening the bar to customers is also motivated by anger with the authorities.

When police swept in on Friday night, a still-maskless Maciag held a beer in his hand and nonchalantly filmed police with his phone. He played a song, over and over, made up of vulgar lyrics directed at Poland's ruling Law and Justice party as police took people's details.

“This is all just a performance,” Maciag said of the police raid.

Minutes later, police had forced him outside and into their van.

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