Czech health minister: Anti-COVID measures could take effect as early as Monday

Prague/Starkoc, Central Bohemia, July 23 (CTK) – Possible new nationwide anti-coronavirus measures could take effect as early as Monday, if introduced, Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtech (ANO) told journalists today.

Vojtech has been discussing the possible measures with epidemiologists and plans to announce his decision on Friday.

He said that a declaration of the national state of emergency or any similar restriction cannot be expected, nor is it necessary to reactivate the Central Crisis Staff.

PM Andrej Babis said the nationwide measure should only entail the reintroduction of the duty for people to wear face masks indoors.

“Of course, it is up to the Health Ministry to decide on an across-the-board measure, but this would be only related to indoor premises with a certain number of people, who would be bound to start wearing face masks again,” Babis said during a visit to the Kutna Hora area in central Bohemia.

Over the last two days, the daily increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in Czechia exceeded 200, which is the highest number since the end of June. The number of those currently ill is also a record high, but Vojtech said on Wednesday that this may be due to inaccurate statistical data.

“We will do our utmost to cope with the situation without any essentially restrictive measures such as a lockdown or closures of shops and restaurants. Preventive measures will be preferred,” Vojtech said.

He said the recent increase in the number of the new coronavirus cases has not hit the whole country and the situation in most regions is stable. Nevertheless, the infection has intensified in some regions such as Vysocina and the neighboring South Moravia, he said.