State of emergency extended in the Czech Republic until November 20

Czech members of parliament approved an extension of the emergency state during a Friday afternoon meeting of the Chamber of Deputies.

The state of emergency was extended until November 20, although Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's ANO party called for a longer extension, until December 3. 

"The so-called community spread of the disease is still taking place significantly. In other words, the disease is spreading across society," said Jan Blatný, the new Minister of Health.

Blatný said that anti-coronavirus measures have great potential to inhibit the spread of COVID-19. 

"Currently, we are at a key turning point, where in the next two weeks the situation could begin to improve and the speed of the spread of the virus in the population will slow down," Minister Blatný told deputies.

Blatný warned that if the measures in force now were to be stopped the country would reach its hospital-bed limit.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the extension of the state of emergency, which the government had previously declared until November 3, is essential in order for the Czech Republic to cope with the current pandemic situation. 

Last spring in the Czech Republic, a state of emergency was in place from March 12 to May 17. It was extended twice.

The government can now prolong the limitations on the freedom of movement as well as the closure of shops and services.