The Czech government has approved a state of emergency

For the second time this year, a state of emergency has been declared in the Czech Republic

ČTK

Written by ČTK Published on 30.09.2020 16:19:00 (updated on 30.09.2020) Reading time: 2 minutes

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:

  • Leisure sports for up to 20 people will be allowed.
  • Up to 130 people can be present at professional sports matches.
  • Theater and film performances will still be able to take place for up to 500 people. Consumption of food and beverages will not be allowed. Group singing, operas, and musicals will be banned for 14 days.
  • Mass events that take place indoors with more than 10 people and any outdoor events with more than 20 people are banned. (Exceptions are members of households, business activities, and meetings of constitutional bodies.)
  • The government will limit the number of people at church meetings to a maximum of one hundred. 
  • Aquaparks, swimming pools, and gyms can remain open.
  • For weddings and funerals, there will be a limit of 30 people from October 19.
  • Restaurants will not be able to seat more than six people at one table.

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.

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