Czech Republic coronavirus updates, July 16: 134 new cases, amid cautionary warnings to travel abroad

The number of new cases marks a rise from Tuesday’s 103 cases, and a return to the weekday numbers last week, which ranged from 105-143. Officials performed 4,208 tests on Wednesday.

Several positive COVID-19 cases resulted from Czech residents coming back from abroad. Nineteen Czechs have likely been infected with COVID-19 while abroad during the first 13 days of July, according to the statistical data released on the Health Ministry’s website.

Out of these cases, three possibly caught the infection in Slovakia and the USA each, two in Britain, Sweden and Croatia each and one in Ecuador, Peru, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Serbia, and Russia.

Amid this news, the Czech ambassador to Greece is warning residents to think carefully about vacationing there. Although Czech tourists have a positive reputation while traveling given the country’s low case numbers, it’s important to consider that the tourist season is only just starting and there is still a risk for infection, the ambassador told Lidovky.cz. 

The Czech Republic is assessing European countries on the basis of the coronavirus infection risk and releases their updated map once a week. Out of the EU countries, only Sweden, Montenegro and Serbia are currently listed as high-risk countries.

Amid the ongoing pandemic, Czech officials are trying to figure out how they can help unmarried couples reunite with their Czech significant others following months of separation due to COVID-19. Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček (ČSSD) has said that foreigner partners of Czech citizens may be able to come to visit if the Czech partner submits an affidavit and takes responsibility for them during their stay.

“I, therefore, suggested that the Czech partner fill in a solemn declaration and provide some personal data,” the minister wrote on Twitter.

Be sure to check for updates if you are traveling out of the Czech Republic this summer.