Poland is bracing itself for a steep increase in COVID-19 cases in the coming days, as the country experienced its highest daily rise in infections since the start of the pandemic.

On Friday the health ministry reported 657 new cases and the government is considering taking new steps to curb the spread of the virus.

In Poland, like many European countries, protection measures against COVID-19 have been relaxed - restaurants and cafes are open, and life has resumed. But now the virus is back and the infection rate is rising.

This week has seen infection rates climb rapidly in the country - from just 337 cases on Monday, to 512 on Wednesday and by Friday - more than 650.

The greatest number of cases is still in the southern region of Silesia, where the virus has rampaged through coal mines, prompting the government to close 12 of them. Three have since reopened but that's been met with another jump in new cases.

And new cases have appeared in all provinces in the country, which saw the government call a crisis meeting on Friday to discuss what action to take. Masks remain mandatory in enclosed spaces.

"I'm not afraid too much but there is always some risk. I try to wear a mask in public transport because there are people traveling there and it may be an infection," one man told CGTN.

But some members of the public seem blase about the risk of infection.

"As for me, I don't believe it," said Kazimierz, who did not give his surname. "I don't believe in the existence of this coronavirus. I just don't believe."

The government says if the public does not comply with existing epidemiological recommendations, they may introduce stricter measures, and are considering introducing quarantines for people arriving from certain countries.

Poland has weathered the pandemic relatively well, with fewer than 1,700 deaths out of 45 thousand cases in a total population of 38 million. Officials say it's unclear whether this is a so-called "second wave" or it's the first wave climbing as defences have been relaxed, but either way it's the cause for concern.