Czech public offices and schools to operate in limited mode at higher COVID-19 risk levels

Prague, Nov 13 (CTK) - Czech state offices will have limited opening hours and schools will operate in limited regimes amid the highest levels on the five-level scale of COVID-19 epidemic risk unveiled by the Czech Health Ministry.

Launching the new index of the risk assessment anti-epidemic system (PES), the ministry plans to update it on its website every day as of November 16. At present, the Czech Republic finds itself at the fourth, or second-highest risk level, the ministry said.

At the two highest risk levels, visits to hospitals and retirement and other social care facilities would be banned.

At lower risk levels, visits will be permitted on certain conditions, according to the ministry's table of levels and corresponding anti-coronavirus restrictions.

If the epidemic risk drops to the first, lowest level, visits to hospitals and care facilities will not be limited, but the visitors will have to wear a face mask, respirator, or other nose and mouth covering.

State offices will restrict their opening hours if the epidemic risk reaches any of the three highest levels. If it reaches the top fifth level, office clerks will deal with only the most urgent matters and switch to home office wherever possible.

As for schools, which have been closed since early October and are currently operating in distance learning mode, elementary school first and second graders will return to school on November 18, according to Education Minister Robert Plaga.

Afterwards, students may return to schools gradually in three phases of restriction softening.

At the fourth level of epidemic risk, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders may return to school. Groups comprised of half of grades 6-9 would also return, and alternate with the other half each week.

At the third risk level, classes may start rotating at secondary schools, and first-year students could return to universities.

At the lowest two levels of risk, schools could begin operate in a standard way, according to the table of measures and their softening presented by Health Minister Jan Blatny (for ANO).