The Czech government has approved a state of emergency

In an effort to prevent the continued spread of the coronavirus in the Czech Republic, a state of emergency has been approved by the government and will take effect from Monday, October 5.

"Today, at my suggestion, the government decided to declare a state of emergency," Minister of Health Roman Prymula confirmed at a press conference.

Earlier Wednesday, Prymula told the lower house of parliament that the special regime is essential to slowing down the growing number of patients.

According to the health minister, without the declaration of a state of emergency, the number of COVID infected at the end of October could endanger the capacity of medical facilities; many medical staff are in quarantine.

The state of emergency will be accompanied by tightened measures, such as the closure of secondary schools in high-risk areas on the regional traffic map, for two weeks.

Additional measures and restrictions include the following:

The Czech government declared a state of emergency earlier this year in connection with the spread of coronavirus. It went into effect on March 12 and was repeatedly extended. The state of emergency ended after 66 days, on May 17.

Prymula said that the reintroduction of a state of emergency will not mean closing borders or restricting movement, but will allow the government to limit large gatherings of people.

The health minster stated that he believes the curve will be "flattened" during the emergency period.