Indoor areas at Prague Castle closed due to coronavirus, but complex still accessible to tourists

Prague, March 11 (CTK) – All exhibitions and indoor tourist routes at Prague Castle have been closed over the new coronavirus outbreak but the castle complex remains accessible to tourists, its administration spokesman David Sebek told CTK today.

The Prague Castle Administration (SPH) has toughened the measures it took in reaction to the National Security Council’s (BRS) steps on Tuesday.

The regular noon ceremony of the rotation of Prague Castle guards has been cancelled.

“In connection with the directives the Health Ministry issued after the BRS meeting, and with those issued by the Culture Ministry, the indoor tourist and exhibition premises at Prague Castle have been closed from today indefinitely,” Sebek said.

The Castle complex, which is the courtyards and lanes, remain open and passable, he said.

Prague Castle is the seat of the Czech president.

The SPH tweeted that the Presidential Office chief commander Jan Kase has decided to cancel the guard rotation ceremony that is daily held at the first courtyard at noon, watched by hundreds of tourists.

Prague Castle ranks among the most popular Czech heritage sites, with the annual number of visitors crossing two million.

The Health Ministry has banned all events with more than 100 participants due to coronavirus since Tuesday evening. The Culture Ministry then announced the closure of all state-subsidised organisations such as galleries, libraries, museums and heritage sites.