Press Advisories
14. 4. 2020
Government discusses proposal for gradually easing exceptional measures
Starting Monday 20 April, tradespeople and farmers' markets will once again be able to operate, small weddings and individual consultations will be able to take place, and so will exams for students in their final years of university. This as part of the scenario for gradual easing of declared exceptional measures planned by the Andrej Babiš government at its meeting Tuesday 14 April 2020.
9. 4. 2020
The government has decided to extend the state of emergency until 30 April, more than a billion crowns of support for cultural institutions
At an extraordinary meeting on Thursday, 9 April 2020, the government of Andrej Babiš approved an extension of the state of emergency in the Czech Republic until 30 April 2020. Ministers also discussed several changes in the emergency measures already announced and also approved financial assistance to state and non-state cultural institutions. They also decided to strengthen the involvement of the Czech Army in coping with the coronavirus pandemic, with another 2,000 soldiers to help the Czech Police.
6. 4. 2020
Exercising alone to be allowed without face masks. Government to allow some shops to re-open from Thursday
At its session on Monday, 6 April, Andrej Babiš's government set about partly relaxing its stringent anti-epidemic measures. People will be able to exercise alone without face masks as of Tuesday. On Thursday, certain shops that have been closed until now, will be allowed to re-open. Essential travel outside the Czech Republic will be allowed from Tuesday, 14 April.
1. 4. 2020
Government asks MPs to prolong state of emergency by another 30 days, will present Coronavirus aid-law package to Parliament
At its extraordinary session on Wednesday, 1 April 2020, Andrej Babiš's Government passed several bills and will present them to Parliament for discussion in the state of legislative emergency. They include a range of further steps intended to help cope with the impacts of the Coronavirus epidemic on society. The Cabinet will also request that the state of emergency be extended by another 30 days, i.e., until 11 May.
31. 3. 2020
Government approves CZK 25 000 for self-employed persons, also launching programme for supporting employment retention
One-time assistance of CZK 25 000 for the self-employed, covering the majority of wage costs for employers affected by the government regulations and consequences of the coronavirus crisis, and a proposal to help people facing distraint. At a meeting on Tuesday 31 March 2020, the government of Andrej Babiš approved another bundle of measures to help those hit hardest by the pandemic.
30. 3. 2020
Restriction of free movement, retail sale and services extended to 11 April; smart-quarantine project launched
The restriction of free movement, retail sale and certain services in the Czech Republic due to the Coronavirus pandemic will remain in force until at least 06h00, 11 April. Andrej Babiš's Government acknowledged the emergency measures adopted by the Ministry of Health on Monday, 30 March 2020. It also decided to set up a COVID-19 Central Management Team to lead the "smart quarantine" project. Children under two years of age will no longer be required to wear face masks. The same applies to drivers, provided there are no passengers in the vehicle.
26. 3. 2020
Benefit applicants will not have to go to the office, government proposes. Also approves a subsidy programme for care allowance for the self-employed
On Thursday, 26 March, the government of Andrej Babiš discussed by video conference further measures to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and to help those affected by the pandemic. For example, ministers have approved an exceptional abolition of the obligation to provide the authorities with the documents necessary for benefit payments, as well as financial assistance for foresters and farmers, and funds for the repatriation of Czechs from abroad.
24. 3. 2020
The government has decided to extend restrictions on public movement until 1 April, and has also approved further steps to support employers
Restrictions on free movement and public stays will apply until at least 06:00 on 1 April 2020. On Monday 23 March 2020, the government decided to extend the emergency measure against the spread of the coronavirus. During the video conference, ministers also approved other anti-crisis measures to support employers, farmers and the self-employed. The government will submit to the Chamber of Deputies for its approval a new state budget deficit for the current year of 200 billion crowns.
24. 3. 2020
Prime Minister’s Address to all citizens
In a speech broadcast on 23 March 2020 by Czech Television, TV Nova and FTV Prima, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš thanked all citizens for their understanding and respect for the government's extraordinary measures intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
20. 3. 2020
Government agreeed to extend the payment of care allowance during an emergency; the self-employed will also get money
At an emergency meeting on Thursday, 19 March 2020, the government adopted further emergency measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Inter alia, the ministers approved a bill that would allow parents caring for schoolchildren at home to extend their care allowance, has further tightened the conditions for cross-border workers, and changed the time reserved for senior citizens to buy foodstuffs and drugstore goods to 07:00 to 09:00.
