Czech weekend news in brief: top stories for Feb. 14, 2021

5,118 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, PES score rises to 77

There were another 5,118 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, 300 more than a week ago, according to data the Czech Health Ministry released this morning. But the ratio of positive results to all tests performed was 31.6 percent, slightly less than a week ago, when it stood at 33.2 percent. The number of hospitalized patients, 5,456, is the lowest since December 27. The number of patients in serious condition now stands at 1,086.

The PES COVID-19 epidemic system index score returned to the highest fifth degree for the first time in a month today, rising to 77. The rise is due an increase in new infections per 100,000 people over the past 14 days. However, Health Minister Jan Blatný said at the end of January that the PES index was no longer relevant for governing lockdown measures.

Talks on state of emergency to resume on Sunday

Regional governors will negotiate with Health Minister Jan Blatný on Sunday from 10:00, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has told journalists. They will discuss current measures that are neither logical nor right according to the regional governors.

The president of the Association of Regions, Martin Kuba, and heads of all regional public health centers will be invited to a subsequent government meeting at 14:00. The government should decide on measures as soon as possible so that the citizens know what rules will be valid as of Monday, Babiš said.

Germany toughens rules for transit from the Czech Republic.

Germany has considerably toughened the conditions for transit from the Czech Republic, with it only being allowed for humanitarian reasons and the transport of goods as of Saturday midnight, Czech Ambassador to Germany Tomas Kafka has told journalists. Humanitarian reasons can mean funerals or care for family members, Kafka said.

"To explain, one can also add that the fight against COVID-19 in Germany is at a very serious stage. Due to this, authorities are unfortunately resorting to strict restrictions," Kafka said.

Million Moments stages automotive protest against government in Prague

An automotive protest against Czech government scandals was organised in Prague by Million Moments for Democracy on Saturday. Banners on cars highlighted the case of the poisoned Bečva River in Central Moravia last year, and the completion of a nuclear power plant in Dukovany where Russian companies may be among the providers. Organizers also wanted to stress that there would be an election in the Czech Chamber of Deputies this autumn. At a parking lot near Prague's Evžen Rošický Stadium, there were about 300 cars participating in the protest.

Czech police prevent hundreds of people from entering or leaving quarantined districts

Police have denied 503 people from entering or leaving the districts Cheb and Sokolov, which have been closed due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, between Friday and Saturday morning, regional police spokeswoman Zuzana Tyrova has told CTK. The districts are among the most affected areas in the country. Tourism, shopping, visits to friends, and sports activities were the most frequent reasons for being denied access or departure.

"At present, the road traffic is without any complications at check-points, no major traffic jams have been recorded. Vehicles are being checked continually. Citizens are respecting the checks and public order has not been violated," Tyrova said.

Protest demanding return of children to schools held in Brno

A crowd of about 200 demonstrators demanding the immediate return of children to schools was held in Brno on Saturday. Protesters marched to the apartment building residence of Education Minister Robert Plaga. They got inside, but did not locate Plaga's apartment.

Before entering the apartment building, speakers criticized the government and disputed the necessity of lockdown measures in the education sector. "We demand an immediate return of children to schools without any conditions," teacher Lenka Drbalova said.