National Security Council declares protective measures against spread of coronavirus; Czech Republic to stop flights from South Korea and north Italy

2. 3. 2020 20:38

On Monday 2 March 2020, the National Security Council met at Straka Academy to address the current situation concerning the spread of coronavirus and the readiness of the Czech Republic for an epidemic of COVID-19.

As part of preventive measures against the spread of coronavirus, the Czech Republic has decided to stop direct flights from South Korea and the cities in northern Italy hit by the disease (in Czech language). The National Security Council also decided that the Biathlon World Cup races in Nové Město na Moravě would take place without spectators and ordered the minister of health to take appropriate measures.

"We also recommended limiting visits to hospices, retirement homes, social service institutions and Alzheimer centres. In general we recommend that people not travel to Italy. In a single day the number of infected persons rose by 566 people there," said Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

The National Security Council also decided that all samples would be taken at home and then tested at the National Institute of Public Health so that the results are always ready by 7 o'clock in the morning at the latest. It also asked the minister of health to have the Public Health Institute in Ostrava to be involved in testing of samples. A total of 200 000 respirators will be purchased for the state material reserves. The minister of health was tasked with securing distribution of respirators to general practitioners.