Negative Covid-19 test no longer required three weeks after first vaccine dose

Those who have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in the Czech Republic more than three weeks ago will no longer need to provide a negative test at venues where they are required, Czech Health Minister Petr Arenberger announced at a press conference yesterday.

Currently, only full vaccination has been recognized as an alternative to Covid-19 testing. The change will take effect as of Monday, May 24.

Czech chief public health officer Pavla Svrčinová added that proof of the first dose of the vaccine will only be accepted in lieu of a test for three months after the dose was applied.

The Czech Vaccinology Society's Daniel Dražan told Czech Television that the change goes against the recommendation of the Society, which continues to recognize freedom from infection only 14 days after the application of the second dose of the vaccine.

However, Dražan said that he expects that the change will motivate people to get vaccinated, which may have a positive impact on the development of the epidemic situation.

The Czech government will discuss further ways to financially cover testing at its meeting on Monday. It is considering the introduction of two PCR tests covered by public health insurance a month, in addition to four antigen tests, said Arenberger.

Currently, public insurance covers an antigen test once every three days.

Another accepted alternative to Covid-19 testing or vaccination is a certificate that one has contracted (and subsequently recovered from) Covid-19. Until now, the certificate has been valid for 90 days since recovery. That period will now be extended to 180 days.

Proof of Covid-19 testing, vaccination, or recovery has been required to attend large cultural and sporting events, to enter service facilities, visit hospitals, and dine at outdoor areas of restaurants. From Monday, the same will also be required from clients of newly-reopened accommodation facilities in the Czech Republic.