Czech theaters and cinemas to reopen from May 11, summer festivals cancelled

Social, sports and cultural events for up to 100 people may take place in the Czech Republic after May 11, Health Minister Adam Vojtech (ANO) said following a government meeting yesterday.

Theaters, cinemas, and circuses will be able to open to the public on May 11, which is two weeks earlier than planned. The condition is to limit the number of participants to 100 people. The rule will also apply to weddings and church services.

Moreover, musicians, actors, and actresses may perform without face masks as of May 1 provided that they tested negative for coronavirus at least four days prior. If they are making a film and it takes longer they will need to be tested at least once every two weeks.

Currently, only gatherings of up to ten people are allowed.

Vojtech said epidemiologists concluded that the restrictive rules introduced to curb the spread of coronavirus can be loosened.

He said the government today approved that 60 people may take part in a church service on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two that will be held on May 5 at St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle.

According to the timetable of the loosening of the restrictions that the government set earlier, all shops in shopping malls, outdoor spaces of restaurants, museums, galleries, castle and chateau gardens, and outdoor areas for training of professional athletes may open as of May 11.

Vojtech said today that indoor areas for sport training would also reopen on May 11.

Culture Minister Lubomir Zaoralek (Social Democrats, CSSD) said following the government meeting that no big cultural events like music festivals for thousands of people will take place in the Czech Republic because of coronavirus this summer.

Zaoralek today proposed to the government that organizers of cultural events may give their customers vouchers for next year instead of refunding money for the tickets for canceled events due to the coronavirus epidemic, his spokeswoman Michaela Lagronova told CTK, adding that the government approved the proposal.

More details will be announced at a press conference on Friday morning.