Czech Health Ministry lays out post-COVID-19 regulations for May 25 re-openings

These measures, including some that are in force now, will be effective until their cancellation. They officially set the rules for the restart of the operation of the country that the ministry presented last Friday as the new coronavirus epidemic has been subsiding.

The ministry writes that a possible sudden lifting of the restrictive measures could have a far-reaching impact and the favorable development of the epidemiological situation could even be frustrated due to it.

Up to 300 people may take part in mass events like theater performances, film screenings, sport events, trade fairs, pilgrimages and celebrations. Apart from people playing sport games, the participants must wear face masks and keep the two metre distance between themselves. Weddings are an exception in this respect.

Restaurants, bars and similar facilities cannot be open after 23:00 and before 06:00, except for cafeterias for employees and takeaway services. Restaurant and shop operators still must secure that their customers are at least two meters from one another, that hand disinfection is available to the customers and that door handles are regularly disinfected. Shops must offer disposable gloves or at least plastic bags.

There are also extraordinary rules for zoos, castles, chateaus, museums, galleries, libraries, hairdresser’s shops, shops selling clothes, theaters, cinemas, shopping malls, interior sport facilities, swimming pools, saunas and accommodation facilities.

Hospitals and care homes must limit visits to patients. Up to two people may visit a patient at the same time, the visitors must have their temperature measured and they must be asked whether they have coronavirus symptoms. If possible, the visits should take place outdoors. If there are more patients in the same room, there must be a screen between the people visiting the patient and the other patients. If new clients move to care homes, they still must pass a test for COVID-19.

The Health Ministry and the government introduced first restrictive measures in the beginning of March. At first, visits to hospitals and care homes were banned, and then schools, shops and restaurants had to close. The country was under the state of emergency from March 12 to May 17. A court cancelled some of the ministry’s measures at the end of April and so they had to be introduced again based on the public health law.

Restrictions related to trips abroad and returns to the country are still valid.