Breaking: Czech government introduces nighttime curfew and limits opening hours of shops

Following a Monday evening meeting the Czech government has announced that it will implement further restrictions in an effort to curb the rapid spread of the coronavirus in the Czech Republic.

The new restrictions limit personal movement during both daytime and nighttime hours. The new rules take effect from Wednesday, October 28 and apply until midnight on Tuesday, November 3.

Speaking to journalists, Health Minister Roman Prymula said that because there has been little compliance with the measures they must be tightened. "We are not lowering so there is a need to maintain our economy but do something that will help reduce the numbers."

The new set of measures, which go into effect on Wednesday, will restrict activities taking place during the daytime hours. During this time people may travel only to and from work, make necessary trips to see family or purchase essential food, medicine, hygiene items, pet and animal feed, fuel, or use banks and postal services.

The cabinet also ordered people to work from home in all cases where the nature of their employment allows them to do so.

Going out during nighttime hours, between 9 pm until 4:59 am is banned with the exception of travel for the purposes of going to work, conducting business activities, or urgent travel.

Retail shops must close between 8 pm to 5 am from Monday to Saturday and close completely on Sundays; pharmacies, gas stations, and airport and railway station shops are an exception.

Take out windows and food delivery services may continue to operate; florists may stay open but only 2 people at a time can be inside the shop. Spas may open to people who have had spa care prescribed for medical reasons covered by health insurance but not to self payers.

Farmer's markets may only sell locally produced fruit, vegetables, milk, bread dairy, and confectionery products and may only have a maximum of 20 people on the premises (per 400 square meters). Stalls must be 2 meters apart and the consumption of food in market areas is prohibited.

The curfew will be effective until the end of the state of emergency which is set to expire on November 3, but the government will likely ask the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday to extend it.