Czech Health Ministry loosens restrictions for mass events, but face masks are required indoors

Prague, Aug 31 (CTK) – The restrictive rule under which up to 1,000 people may take part in outdoor mass public events will be loosened as of September 1, and half of the remaining seats in areas for more than 1,000 people may be occupied, the Czech Health Ministry has told CTK.

The same applies to indoor areas such as concert rooms, in which up to 500 participants have been allowed until now.

Health Minister Adam Vojtěch (for ANO) said this was a result of communication with organizers of cultural events and consultations with epidemiologists.

Participants in cultural and sport events will have to be divided in separate sectors for up to 500 people in the case of indoor events and up to 1,000 people in the case of outdoor events.

Czech chief public health officer Jarmila Rážová said this means that up to 3,000 people can attend an event in an open arena for 5,000 spectators, and that up to 1,250 spectators can attend an indoor event in a hall for 1,500.

In areas for more than 5,000 spectators, the organizers are allowed to have up to ten separate sectors provided that at least 70 percent of the spectators have their own seats.

Each sector must have its separate entrance from the outside, or the organizers must regulate the arrivals and departures of the spectators to prevent people from gathering in large crowds.

No sectors in which people stand can be created at events with live music.

There must be at least two meters between the spectators and the performers, or there must be a glass or Plexiglass barrier between them. A minimum distance of two meters must be also between people from different sectors.