Breaking: Czech government speeds up plan for re-opening shops, restaurants

The Czech government has just announced that they will be speeding up the five-step plan to re-open shops and restaurants, Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček revealed at a press conference this afternoon.

The five-step plan has now become a four-step plan, with most venues now able to open two weeks earlier than previously announced.

“Establishments up to 2,500 square meters will be reopened from Monday, April 27, provided they are establishments with their own entrance,” Havlíček stated during the press conference.

“Driving schools, gyms and fitness centers, services for up to 15 people, libraries, zoos and botanical and dendrological gardens without indoor pavilions [will also reopen from April 27].”

From Monday, April 27, retail shops up to 2,500 square meters in size that are not located in shopping centers will be allowed to open.

Previously, only shops under 200 square meters were to reopen from April 27, and shops under 1,000 square meters from May 11. Both of those, and even larger shops up to 2,500 square meters, will now be able to open as soon as Monday.

Also Monday, April 27, fitness centers (except for changing facilities) and outdoors areas of zoos will be allowed to open.

Under the previous plan, outdoor areas of zoos were to reopen from May 25, and fitness centers from May 11.

On May 11, outdoor areas of restaurants will be allowed to open. Previously, these areas were scheduled to reopen on May 25.

Also May 11, hairdressers, barbers, and beauty salons will be able to reopen. These services were also scheduled to reopen from May 25 previously.

Exterior locations at Czech castles and chateaux, galleries, establishments in shopping centers and other venues previously expected to open at a later date will also now be able to open on May 11.

Finally, restaurants will now be able to open interior areas from May 25, two weeks earlier than the June 8 date set previously. Hotels also previously slated to reopen June 8, will also be able to resume operations from May 25.

Cultural events will also now be able to take place from May 25, though Havlíček did not specify the size of crowds that would be allowed. Previously, this number was set at 50 people for the June 8 date.

The government also decided today to freeze all rents for the immediate future.

“We have just decided in the government to freeze rental prices,” Finance Minister Alena Schillerová tweeted.

“From today, until the end of the emergency measures, it will not be possible to increase rent on apartments. Even a small increase in rent can cause people living problems. Now we give them a guarantee that in today’s difficult situation, their housing costs will not increase.”

The government has until April 27 to re-implement those regulations, if still needed, through a more appropriate channel.

Government talks will resume from 8 p.m. this evening.