WARSAW (Reuters), Marcin Wojtasik, a Warsaw restaurateur says he will take negative reviews from anti vaxxers. This is to ensure his staff are protected from COVID-19.

Wojtasik (55) told Reuters that the decision was not popular and that it drew strong responses. His Yatta Ramen restaurant, which specializes in Japanese cuisines, stated, “It wasn’t a popular one, there were many very strong reactions.” They are not our customers. “They’ve done it well.”

His company is just one of many in Poland who are intervening to protect their customers from the flu.

A mere 56% of Poles are fully protected against COVID-19. This is significantly lower than the European Union’s average. Only about a third of the population has received a third booster shot. There are also many areas in the southeast and east that have very low vaccination rates for a skeptical population.

Current rules allow venues like bars and restaurants to offer up to 30% of their capacities to people who are not currently vaccinated. Doctors have criticized the government for failing to impose stricter restrictions on social activities.

On Friday, thirteen of the 17 members of Poland’s Medical Council that advised the Prime Minister on COVID-19 quit. They condemned what they called a lack scientific influence on policies.

Reuters heard from some advisers who said they quit partly because of refusal of government to apply rules like those implemented in France. In France, customers must show their vaccine certificate in cafes, restaurants, and other public places.

One departing advisor, Professor Robert Flisiak said that such policies have been shown to increase vaccination rates. He stated that we could raise the vaccination rate by 10%. This would be at most comparable to the EU average.

He applauded restaurateurs for taking more aggressive action. He said, “Officially they face hatred and ostracism. Even aggression. So it is very brave of them to take tougher action despite a lack in legal support from state.”

Konstanty Rzynski (another departing physician adviser) accused the ruling right-wing party of pandering towards a vaccine-sceptic voting base and tied the hands to the ministry.

The government is very aware of what it needs to do. It is not because it has bad intentions, but lacks political support from the base that it doesn’t take action.

According to the Polish government, it has often been faced with opposition from different bodies and not only its advisors. The council’s functioning methods would change without further explanation, the government stated.

Wojtasik the restaurateur said he hopes that the self-imposed limits at his eartery, will be at least a part of limiting the effects caused by COVID-19.

My friends, who were much younger than I was, died. “This (virus), I understand, is a serious risk you should not underestimate.”