Prague Castle resumes blanket security checks of visitors

Prague, May 6 (ČTK) - The Prague Castle historical complex and presidential seat will see blanket security checks of visitors reintroduced due to the security situation in Europe and the world, Police Presidium spokesman Ondřej Moravčík told ČTK today.

Introduced at all entrances to Prague Castle in mid-2016, the blanket checks lasted until this Easter when they were lifted together with the castle complex's partial reopening amid the subsiding coronavirus pandemic.

Since Wednesday noon, the police have been again checking all incoming visitors and their bags, as well as using hand detector devices.

Moravčík said the checks have been resumed based on the recommendation of security experts and the police. "This is the resumption of the original regime with regard to the security situation in the world and in Europe," he said but added that no concrete threat is behind the step.

In response to questions from ČTK, President Milos Zeman's spokesman Jiří Ovčáček said this is a matter for the police to decide on, not for the Presidential Office.

The blanket entrance checks were lifted before Easter when the castle gardens and a part of the Stag Moat reopened to the public. The castle complex's full reopening this Monday was accompanied by only random checks of the visitors, which were replaced with blanket checks after two days.

When introducing the checks in 2016, the Prague Castle Management explained the step as securing tourists' safety. Critics called it unnecessary, and long queues of waiting visitors often appeared at the checkpoints.