Covid-19 travel update: Czech map now valid for foreigners only

While the Czech Republic's color-coded "traffic light" map remains largely unchanged from Monday, its impact has been altered. As of February 21, the map will only apply to the entry of foreigners into the Czech Republic, according to a press release issued by the Czech Health Ministry on Friday.

Regarding those to whom the map will no longer apply, the Health Ministry press release refers to Czech "citizens." Based on terminology used in previous regulations, however, it can be presumed that the change also applies to all holders of a Czech residence permit.

The map, based on data issued weekly by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, will continue to be maintained as a reference point. For residents of the Czech Republic, however, it will no longer relate to any entry requirements.

All travelers are still required to fill in an arrival form when entering the Czech Republic. The change means that vaccinated Czech residents will now be able to travel to the country without any other restrictions.

As of Monday, Czech residents who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 in the past 180 days will be able to travel to the country restriction-free, regardless of the color of country they are coming from.

The Czech Republic considers vaccination valid if the most recent dose was applied within the past 270 days. If initial vaccination took place earlier, a booster dose is required. Those aged 12-18 are not required (for now) to have a booster dose, even if initially vaccinated more than 270 days ago. Children under 12 are exempt from the vaccination requirements.

Czech residents who have not been vaccinated must provide an advance antigen or PCR test proving non-infection before entering the Czech Republic. If coming from outside the EU, an additional PCR test is required 5-7 days after arrival.

Non-EU citizens are barred from entering the Czech Republic unless they meet one of twelve conditions in the current protective measure issued by the Czech Health Ministry. One of those conditions is valid vaccination status, another is if traveling from a low-risk country in the travel map.

As of Monday, like the previous two weeks, no European countries are listed as low-risk green in the latest Czech map, with the Vatican the only green European locality. Outside of Europe, Indonesia, Colombia, Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Macao, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Peru, the United Arab Emirates, Rwanda, and Taiwan are also considered low-risk green.

No countries worldwide are listed as medium-risk orange or high-risk red in the latest Czech map.

All countries not included in the low-risk green category are considered very high-risk dark red in the Czech map. That includes Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Finland, Malta, Italy, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Norway, Germany, Hungary, Monaco, Iceland, Ireland, Austria , Romania, Greece, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal including Madeira and the Azores, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Spain including the Balearic and Canary Islands, and Switzerland and all other non-EU countries not listed as green. 

For regulations on entry to the Czech Republic for foreigners, consult the website of the Czech Ministry of the Interior.

Those who have been vaccinated outside the EU are advised to check the validity of their vaccination certificate before travel.