Czech Health Minister: Easing of anti-coronavirus restrictions has not had a negative impact

“There were no major fluctuations last week, and now we are at the end of 14 days from the last wave of [lifting restrictions] on May 11,” said Vojtěch.

“The epidemiological situation does not show any negative trends, and the Czech Republic has managed the whole situation well, above average compared to other countries.”

The number of COVID-19 recoveries is also rising faster than the number of new cases being reported.

“Today, we already have over 66% of patients who have recovered from COVID-19, and the number of deaths is stagnating,” Vojtěch added.

“At one time it was Domažlice, Cheb. Now we have the biggest problem in the Karviná region within OKD and the Darkov mine. There, the situation is perhaps a little more complicated.”

“The second locality, which is a bit more problematic, is in Prague, where we have several smaller outbreaks of the disease. It is simply something we must keep watching. It is a local spread.”

According to Vojtěch, the focus will now be on monitoring workers in potentially risky professions, which will include not only health professionals but also staff at venues that are set to re-open from May 25. Waiters and others within the service industry are likely to come into contact with a greater number of people, increasing their risk of exposure, Vojtěch said.

Vojtěch appeared at the conference without epidemiologist and Deputy Health Minister Roman Prymula, who has been one of the most prominent figures from the Czech government during the coronavirus crisis.

A falling out has been reported between the two in Czech media, with Prymula set to leave his post at the end of May.