Czech Republic to allow spiritual services from April 27

Prague, April 17 (CTK) – The state will probably allow divine services and religious rituals in Czech churches as of April 27, provided some conditions are fulfilled, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) told Radio Z today.

Under the proposal, the divine services are to be at first held with the participation of maximally 15 persons. The number may increase to 30 and 50 as of May 11 and May 25, respectively, he added.

Sanitary rules and compulsory distance must be observed due to the coronavirus spread.

As of June 8, the rituals in churches are no longer to be limited by the number of their participants, Babiš said, adding that he had discussed the proposal with Prague Archbishop Cardinal Dominik Duka and Deputy Health Minister and epidemiologist Roman Prymula.

The plan is yet to be discussed by the government.

On Tuesday, the government drafted a scheduled of a gradual easing of lockdown rules. Babiš later admitted that the government members had forgotten to include the renewal of divine services.

Earlier this week, the Ecumenical Council of Churches (ERC) and the Czech Bishops Conference (CBK) asked Babiš, government members and the Central Crisis Staff to let the public divine services take place provided preventive measures are observed.

Due to the measures against the coronavirus spread, this year’s Easter was celebrated with people at home, watching the divine services on TV and online.