Press Advisories
13. 3. 2020
Emergency measures in international transport will take effect on Saturday
From Saturday, traveling abroad will be restricted to passenger cars only, as cross-border bus, train and ferry passenger transport will be suspended. The new measures will also affect international air passenger transport.
12. 3. 2020
Due to the spread of the coronavirus the government has declared a state of emergency and on 12 March 2020 further tightened preventive measures
At an extraordinary meeting on Thursday 12 March 2020, the government of Andrej Babiš decided to declare a state of emergency in the Czech Republic in connection with the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus. At the same time, it announced further stricter preventive measures to limit the spread of the disease. It has for example banned travel to the most high-risk countries and has banned foreigners from those countries from entering the country. It has also radically reduced the conditions for gatherings of larger groups of people.
10. 3. 2020
Due to the spread of the coronavirus, visits to hospitals and social care institutions will be prohibited, with some exceptions
At an emergency meeting on Monday, 9 March 2020, the State Security Council again discussed the situation regarding the spread of the COVID-19 infection. It discussed further preventive measures being prepared by the Ministry of Health, this time affecting in-patient wards of hospitals and social care institutions. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš again urged Czech citizens to reconsider their travel plans to high-risk areas with an increased incidence of SARS-CoV-2.
10. 3. 2020
To prevent further spreading of coronavirus cultural, sporting and social events involving over 100 people are banned
From Tuesday, 10 March at 18:00, theatrical, musical, cinema performances and other artistic, sports and religious events, markets, trade fairs and other public and private events with an expected participation of more than 100 people are prohibited in the Czech Republic. The personal attendance of pupils and students at elementary, secondary and tertiary vocational schools, apprentice schools and at universities is also prohibited. On Tuesday 10 March 2020, Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch ruled on this on the basis of the development of the epidemiological situation concerning the spread of the coronavirus and at the recommendation of the extended praesidium of the State Security Council.
7. 3. 2020
New obligation for foreigners living in the Czech Republic
New obligation for foreigners (including EU citizens) living in the Czech Republic after their return from the Italian Republic.
6. 3. 2020
Czech citizens returning from Italy must go into quarantine, the state will arrange possible compensation for employers
All Czech citizens returning from a stay in Italy will have to spend two weeks after their return in quarantine. Based on the current spread of the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus, the Ministry of Health has issued an appropriate relevant legal measure. On Friday, 6 March 2020, this approach was agreed by members of the government with the regional governors, at a meeting at the Straka Academy.
5. 3. 2020
National Security Council discusses further measures in connection with the spread of coronavirus
On Wednesday 4 March 2020, the National Security Council held a special meeting at Straka Academy to discuss further measures related to the spread of the coronavirus Sars-CoV-2. The Ministry of Health decided to ban the sale of FFP3 masks to other countries and restricted their sale on the domestic market. The National Security Council also agreed that it is not currently necessary to restrict the organising of mass events with the exception of the Biathlon World Cup.
2. 3. 2020
4 March 2020: Meeting of V4 Prime Ministers
On Wednesday, 4 March 2020 the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, will meet and negotiate with the Prime Ministers of the Visegrad Group countries at the Straka Academy. This special working meeting will focus mainly on the current situation regarding Coronavirus in Europe. Other items on the agenda for the meeting are the situation in Turkey, migration and the EU multiannual financial framework.
28. 2. 2020
National Security Council does not recommend travelling to Lombardy or Veneto
On the evening of Tuesday, 25 February 2020, the expanded presidium of the National Security Council held a special meeting at Straka Academy. The meeting was convened by PM Andrej Babiš over the current situation with the spread of coronavirus. The presidium subsequently issued a recommendation that Czechs avoid travelling to the highest risk regions in northern Italy, Lombardy and Veneto.
