No face masks indoors, longer restaurant hours from July 1, announces Czech Health Minister

The requirement to wear face masks at indoor locations including shops, restaurants, and on public transport will no longer apply from July 1, Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtěch has announced at a press conference this morning.

However, Vojtěch followed that by stating that the regulation would still apply in areas of localized COVID-19 outbreaks.

At the moment, that would include the capital city of Prague and the coal mine region of Karviná, though the Health Minister stated that the situation may change over the next two weeks. The developing situation in both areas will be monitored by the government during this time.

“If most regions remain without new cases on July 1, there is no need to extend the measures throughout the country,” Vojtěch stated.

“If the number of cases of the disease increases in a specific location, local hygiene officials will take the necessary measures there.”

Also from July 1, pubs and restaurants in the Czech Republic will be allowed to open after 23:00. Currently, these venues must be closed between the hours of 23:00 – 6:00.

Additionally, patrons of cinemas (and other indoor areas) will be able to consume refreshments indoors from July 1.

In addition to the current regulations covering face masks, however, regulations regarding the opening hours of restaurants and consumption of food in cinemas will also not be eased in locations of higher rates of COVID-19 cases from July 1.

From June 22, the capacity of people allowed at outdoor events in the Czech Republic will be increased from 500 to 1,000. Fairs with up to 5,000 people in attendance will also be allowed.

Pools, spas, museums, castles and other areas in the Czech Republic will go into full operation from June 22, with a mandatory distance of 10 meters between guests no longer in effect.

“It’s not sustainable to be surrounded by walls,” Vojtěch stated, reaffirming his desire to fully reopen Czech borders. However, he also expressed caution about allowing visitors from areas with high rates of COVID-19 cases, including Russia and South America.

The Health Minister also said he expects no regulations to impact to regular opening and operation of schools in the Czech Republic for the beginning of the next school year in September.

“The measures in schools are valid until the end of this school year,” said Vojtěch

“From then on, there will be no restrictions from the Ministry of Health on schools. And we don’t expect any [new] regulations from September, either.”