Government Restrictions of Activities inside the Czech Republic
State of Emergency was declared on March 12 and was terminated on May 17, 2020. The government announced on May 11 they were not planning to ask the Chamber of Deputies for extension of the state of emergency.
Last update on May 25, 2020.
- The obligation to wear mouth/nose cover was lifted on 25 May for outdoor spaces (parks, streets & squares, given the distance of 2 meters will be kept between persons, otherwise nose/mouth cover obligation applies, except members of one household); after this date, the obligation the cover nose/mouth would be still applicable in public transportation, shops, taxis, indoor spaces where there is higher number of people. Employees (obligatory distance of 2m) in manufacturing, offices are not obliged to wear nose/mouth cover.
- The elderly citizens aged 70+ or persons in risk categories are not recommended to stay at crowded places. The shopping hours 8.00-10.00 for the elderly were lifted.
- International private passenger travel has partially resumed. The Government decided to relax measures restricting international railway and bus transportation - starting on May 11. The transportation companies will have to follow emergency measures of the foreign countries through which they travel. From May 26, rail border crossings with Austria and Germany are free to pass, all road checkpoints are open between 5.00-23.00. Random checks will continue and a negative PCR test for returnees to the Czech Republic is still applicable. Airports in Brno, Karlovy Vary, Ostrava, Pardubice re-opened. Foreign tourists are not allowed to enter the Czech Republic.
- Public transportation lines resumed regular operations. Drivers are not allowed to sell tickets to passengers directly.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not recommend traveling abroad. More about border regime here and here.
- An obligation for landlords using digital platforms (e.g. Airbnb), to inform the municipal trade licensing office, at its request, of the number of contracts concluded for tourism services, the total price for these services, as well as the address of the place where guests were staying. In the future, the data may be used to trace those accommodated in the event of the threat of the infection spreading.
- Outdoor sports activities are allowed, given the hygienic conditions and the safe distance is met. From 25 May, sports and cultural events for up to 300 persons are allowed (while keeping the 2 meters distance between persons, otherwise obligation to wear nose/mouth cover). If the epidemiological situation allows, events for 500 and up to 1,000 persons can take place from June 8 and June 22, respectively. Big events with thousands of participants are banned until the end of October.
- From 25 May, ZOOs, castles, aqua parks resumed operations in full scope, including interior parts.
- From May 11, practically whole retail sector re-opened, including shopping malls. On May 25, hotels and restaurants are allowed to resume their oprerations.
- From April 27, university students from all years can rejoin the educational process, under given conditions (consultations for up to 5 students). From May 11, there can be up to 15 university students in a group. From May 11, secondary school students preparing for their final exams will return to school. Pupils in the final year of elementary school (9th grade) can voluntarily return to school for preparation for exams in groups of up to 15 students. The same rule (up to 15 students in a group) applies to arts, language schools or leisure time activities at centers for youth. On May 25, elementary schools re-opened for classes of up to 15 pupils. From 8 June, secondary level students may return to schools in a consultation format, under given hygienic and social distancing rules (specific types of schools can open from June 1).
- Summer camps for children (300-500 persons) can tale place from June 27.
- From May 25, visits in elderly homes, hospitals are allowed, but some hospitals do not allow visits. Deliberate spread of new coronavirus is a crime.
- From May 25, all post offices are fully open, opening hours returned to the state prior to the state of emergency.
- Telecommunications operators and banks are obliged to assist the authorities in tracing the spread of the coronavirus; on March 30, the Government announced Smart Quarantine pilot project launch in the South Moravian region, which has traced the contacts of positively tested individuals to COVID-19 using modern information technology and is intended to help regional hygiene stations trace other potentially infected. The tracing is conducted with assistance of the Czech army and Smart quarantine was extended to all 14 regions of the Czech Republic by May 1. Ministry of Health will take the project over from the army.
- The second part of the Smart Quarantine project will include improved data sharing between laboratories and hygienic stations.
- Amendment on the powers of the Czech Police and the municipal police to penalise breaches of crisis measures was adopted. Police officers will be able to penalise (up to 10,000 CZK) on the spot any persons in breach of the crisis measures, even in cases that have to be normally dealt with in administrative proceedings.
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