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. From October 5, Government declared again state of emergency for 30 days, with further extensions. The state of emergency terminated on April 11, 2021 and the Government has not asked the Chamber of Deputies for further extension.
Last update on July 26, 2021.
All current measures can be found here.
Government decrees in English can be found here.
On June 8, the Government unified rules and conditions for so called OTN (očkování/vaccination, testování/testing, potvrzení o prodělané nemoci/suffered from Covid) to be applicable for all situations and places: PCR test in the past 7 days, antigen test in the past 72 hours, confirmation about the antigen test performed at school or employer, confirmation about vaccination 22 days after first dose, confirmation about Covid suffered within the past 180 days, or antigen test performed upon entry in real time.
The OTN rules (rules to prove "non-infectiousness" meaning vaccinated/tested/recovered from Covid) are applicable generally across the country. After July 1, respirators are obligatory indoors, i.e. in public transport, buildings, but not outdoors anymore, except outdoor events for more than 30 persons. From July 19, organizers of events where more than 1,000 participants are expected, will be obliged to report this fact to the regional hygienic station.
From June 26, the number of people shopping in retail units as well as visitors of museums and galleries was increased to 1 person per 10 m2 (from 15m2 earlier). The ban on marketing events (such as tastings) held by retailers was lifted. The obligation for service providers to keep records of all theirs customers (hairdressers, masseurs etc.) was lifted.
From June 26, the ceiling for private and public events has been max. 500 participants indoors and 1,000 outdoors. For cultural, sports and educational events, the ceiling has been max. 2,000 visitors for indoor events (with up to 75% of capacity filled), outdoor events can be held for max. 5,000 participants.
Also from June 26, live music production has been allowed (dance remains excluded) inside restaurants and clubs. The ceiling for the number of visitors of swimming pools and wellness centers has been increased to max.75% of capacity.
From August 1, the number of visitors at sports and cultural events can be increased up to 7,000 outdoors (from current 5,000) and 3,000 indoors (from current 2,000). From August 1, people will be also allowed to dance in the clubs, if OTN rules are followed. The number of visitors of the swimming pools will no longer be limited (currently at 75% of capacity), OTN rules apply. More on new measures.
VACCINATION & TESTING
The City of Prague launched a new information campaign on vaccination, aiming at young Prague citizens (between 16 and 29 years) to get vaccinated. Prague citizens can register for vaccination at ockovani.praha.eu. Two vaccination centers in Prague opened on July 12 where there is no need to register in advance.
From July 7, citizens or EU residents of Czechia vaccinated in third countries will be able to obtain an EU COVID certificate issued by the Czech Republic.
The Ministry of Health capped the price of PCR and AG test for private payers (not covered by the public health insurance). From July 1, each PCR test with a positive result will have to be confirmed (by another PCR test) in order to track potential mutations.
Between June 1 and August 31, 2021, each participant of the Czech public health care insurance system will be eligible for two PCR tests and four AG tests covered from health insurance. More on the measure. (After September 1, cases indicated by GPs, hygienic stations and children below the age of 12 will continue to have their testing covered by health insurance.)
From July 1, the vaccination registration opened for persons aged 12+ in the Czech Republic. From June 1, it has been possible to download Czech e-certificate on vaccination at ocko.uzis.cz, applicable for travel of Czech citizens. On July 26, the Health Minister Adam Vojtech said he would like to speed up and encourage the vaccination of children aged 12+ before the new school year starts, so the children return to schools without a need to get tested. The Government approved the proposal of the minister to use RT-PCR tests for testing pupils which will be covered in the amount of CZK 200 per test from the EU solidarity fund.
As of May 24, the post-infection period (meaning the acknowledged period of immunity against Covid-19) was extended from 90 days to 180 days. At the same time, the Government approved that 22 days after the first dose of double-dose vaccine or 14 days after single-dose vaccine, the person is considered as vaccinated for the purposes of the Government health and safety measures. Government measures require evidence of either vaccination, having recovered from Covid-19 in the past 180 days, or a negative Covid-19 test result.
The Czech Government Udělejme tečku vaccination campaign started with the target of 70% of the Czech population being registered for vaccination. The campaign includes an information website Česko očkuje and a dedicated website Komunikace pomáhá providing communication kits to download. The ambition is also that the campaign is spread via companies, trade unions, interest groups, regional governments or influencers.
The Government opened the pilot run of the National vaccination center in Prague O2 Universum. The full operation was launched on May 3, 2021. The Prague vaccination centre Vyšehrad plans to increase its capacity to 1,600 people vaccinated per day, followed by a growth to 2,000 per day (including weekends) as of June.
On May 6, the European Commission complemented the EU Vaccines Strategy with a strategy on COVID-19 therapeutics to support the development and availability of COVID-19 therapeutics, including for the treatment of ‘long COVID'. The Strategy covers the full lifecycle of medicines: from research, development and manufacturing to procurement and deployment.
Vaccinating Foreign Nationals against Covid-19
Czech Government Vaccination Strategy
EU Strategy for Covid-19 Vaccines
Mandatory testing of employees - lifted as of July 1, 2021.
The testing (with POC antigen tests performed either by healthcare professionals or antigen tests self-administered) is currently mandatory for all companies, public institutions, health and social care providers, businesses with less than 10 employees as well as self-employed persons (the measure targeting SMEs was revoked on June 28, 2021). The state support for each test amounts to CZK 60. Testing must be carried out at least once a week, with exception of those who have been tested positive for coronavirus in the past 180 days, have undergone isolation and have no symptoms.
Unless the employee is not tested negative (by RT-PCR or antigen tests), the employer must not allow him or her to access the workplace. The obligation to submit a negative test result when arriving from abroad cannot be replaced by voluntary isolation or quarantine. Mandatory testing of employees in companies, NGOs, public sector institutions, including self-employed, was extended until the end of June.
Fourteen Day Case Notification Map for Europe (by regions, July 8), Source: ECDC
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