Travel rules change this week: several new countries move to red on Czech traffic-light map

Negative tests for coronavirus will be needed when returning from Hungary, Malta, the Azores, and Madeira according to the latest update from the Ministry of Health. 

The Czech Republic currently operates a traffic light system for travel from countries with the latest seeing Hungary and Malta turning red alongside parts of Portugal. On the other hand, the necessary tests will no longer be from Luxembourg which has turned orange on the map.

The red category requires passengers who have spent more than 12 hours in these countries in the last 14 days to complete an arrival form before returning to the Czech Republic. Within 5 days of entering, the person must undergo a PCR test and the result must be submitted within 7 days of arrival to the relevant regional hygienic station.

If a country is orange, then foreigners who work or study in the Czech Republic must submit the result of a PCR test. This is before entering the workplace, or before entering the educational institution where they study. 

While green countries, which have less than 25 new cases of covid-19 per 100,000 population in the last two weeks, and less than four percent of tests positive, aren't required to take a test. This currently only applies to Vatican City, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand.

From Monday, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Greece and the Canary Islands will be included in the orange group.

Passengers from Great Britain and Northern Ireland have a special regime due to the COVID variant found in the country. People who have been in the country for more than 12 hours in the last 14 days must present a negative accredited antigen or PCR test for a coronavirus test upon return.

The test must be carried out in the United Kingdom no later than 72 hours before the start of the journey. After arriving from Britain, domestic quarantine is mandatory, people can take the second test after five days at the earliest.