Czech Republic to build central database to help check observance of coronavirus quarantine

Prague, March 16 (CTK) – The Czech state plans to establish a central database of those who are in compulsory quarantine over coronavirus infection, which would enable the police to check people’s observance of the quarantine more effectively, Central Crisis Staff head Roman Prymula said after its meeting today.

“We want to centralise the database in order to know who is staying at home on sickness leave within self-quarantine and on whom quarantine has been imposed by sanitary bodies so that the police can act and carry out the relevant checks,” Prymula, who is a deputy health minister, told Czech Television.

The staff also discussed ways to make the distribution of face masks to people more effective.

First, masks are to be distributed to the people who still have to go to work even under the government-imposed restriction of the free movement of people.

Finally, every citizen should have their own mask, one at least, Prymula said.

He said there has been a shortage of face masks for the time being, and people have started to make them by themselves.

“We order new respirators and face masks supplies every day,” Prymula said, adding that the state received another 50,000 respirators from the National Material Reserve Administration today, and that 100,000 face masks will arrive tomorrow.

“On Friday, we expect a big supply of 1.4 million respirators,” Health Minister Adam Vojtech (for ANO) has written.

Furthermore, 100,000 rapid coronavirus testers, which will be brought from China, are to be distributed to Czech hospitals on Wednesday, he said.

The Crisis Staff also discussed further measures, which, however, are up to the cabinet to approve. They include amendments to the regime for those commuting to work abroad, and a ban on selling accommodation in hotels, Prymula said.

The number of coronavirus cases reached 344 in Czechia this evening.

On Sunday, the cabinet banned free movement of people nationwide, except for people going to work, visiting a doctor and own relatives, and buying essential items.

Preventive measures have also been taken by businesses, offices, courts, transport operators and hospitals, some of which have cancelled long-planned surgeries.

Politicians have called on people to wear face masks or protect their nose and mouth otherwise, with a scarf, for example.

A narrow working group of the Central Crisis Staff will meet on Wednesday again, while the staff will have video consultations about twice in a week.