Restaurants not required to monitor guest Covid status, says Czech Deputy PM

We reported last week that restaurants in the Czech Republic were planning on following an honor system regarding Covid-19 testing once they reopen, and officials on Friday confirmed that they won't even need to go that far.

Restaurants in the Czech Republic will not have to check whether their guests have a negative test for Covid-19, if they are vaccinated, or they have previously contracted the infection, Deputy PM and Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček told reporters after a government meeting on Friday.

Instead, the responsibility of ensuring restaurant guests are Covid-free will lie with Czech police and health officials. Patrons will need to prove their Covid-19 status to officials during "possible inspections," according to Havlíček.

If requested by police during an inspection of a restaurant or similar establishment, patrons must submit the relevant documentation confirming their Covid-19 status, Havlíček said.

Additionally, wifi internet can be used at outdoor seating areas of restaurants, he confirmed.

Restaurants in the Czech Republic can open their outdoor areas to guests from Monday as the Covid-19 epidemic continues to recede in the Czech Republic, and measures are gradually eased.

However, only people with a negative test for coronavirus, along with those who have been vaccinated or previously contracted Covid-19 during the past 90 days, will have access to these areas, Havlíček said.

The reality of police checks for Covid-19 status at Czech pubs and restaurants, however, remains to be seen.

Following an agreement between professional associations, the government eventually modified conditions to shift the responsibility for guest Covid-19 status from the venues themselves to police and public health officers, Havlíček said.