Czech Republic significantly reduces Covid-19 restrictions
The Czech Republic on Friday significantly loosened some of the restrictions related to Covid-19, allowing its citizens to travel abroad and ending all curfew measures.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis made the decision in surprisingly quick fashion, reacting to a court ruling that restrictions formally violated the law.
Czech authorities will keep the Covid-19 controls on its border with Germany and Austria until May 14, Interior Minister Jan Hamacek said.
With that, Czechs who work in Germany or Austria will be allowed to travel, but with a certificate no older than two weeks proving that they are free of the coronavirus.
The already launched incremental reopening of businesses has been accelerated. “We can’t afford to lose another day before we can restart the economy, but without jeopardizing health,” Trade Minister Karel Havlicek said.
The Health Ministry said that spas will reopen on Monday, initially only for nationals. The move will benefit the many facilities in Western Bohemia between Marianske Lazne Karlovy Vary and Frantiskovy Lazne.
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Still prohibited are gatherings of more than 10 people. Additionally, the state of emergency has been extended to May 25.
The Foreign Ministry advised the population to refrain from travelling across the border unless in an emergency and pointed out that many countries still ban foreigners from entering.
The government loosened the restrictions as the rate of Covid-19 infections remains slow. On Friday, there were 7,188 confirmed coronavirus infections, with 213 deaths related to Covid-19. (dpa)
