Due to record daily numbers of new COVID-19 cases, the Czech government has extended the duration of the current restrictions until January 22. It is the same date when the state of emergency should supposedly end as well. Originally, the countermeasures should have been in place until January 10.
Category: News
Any news related to the Czech Republic that expats should be aware of.
Changes in 2021 Regarding Health Insurance, Social Security Insurance and Flat-rate Tax
As we are stepping into the year 2021, there are some new policies regarding social security and health insurance, which are mandatory regardless of whether you are self-employed or employed in a business. For self-employers, there are some big news coming; flat-rate tax. In this article, we bring you updates on all of the recent changes.
Coronavirus in Czechia: Restrictions in the New Year & Vaccination Update
During the Christmas holidays, the Czech Republic returned to level 5 of the so-called PES system. Since level 5 is the highest level, the strictest countermeasures possible system are currently in effect. These restrictions apply mostly to stores, some services, freedom of movement, or studying, for example. They should supposedly remain in place until January 10 but there is a chance their validity will be further extended.
Coronavirus in Czechia: Moving Back to PES Level 5
The government announced that the Czech Republic will move back to the highest 5th level of the anti-epidemic PES system from Sunday, December 27. Due to the increased number of infected people by Covid-19, the Minister of Health Jan Blatný decided to announce new measures, that will last until 10 January 2021.
Stricter Quarantine Measures for UK Travellers Responding to a New COVID-19 Variant
Britain’s top medical officer announced that the UK has identified a new variant of the coronavirus that “can spread more quickly” than prior strains of the virus. Along with the UK, the same mutation of the COVID-19 virus has also been detected in the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia and the Czech Republic.
Coronavirus in Czechia: Returning to PES Level 4
On Friday, December 18, the Czech Republic will once again return to level 4 of the PES system, which means that restrictions will be tightened. This was decided by the House of Commons on December 14; shortly after the restrictions were initially released. Despite that, stores will remain open. Some politicians and experts are worried that Czechs will actually have to spend this Christmas on level 5 of the PES system.
Coronavirus in Czechia: Drinking Outdoors Banned, State of Emergency Extended
The Czech House of Commons approved another extension of the state of emergency – this time until December 23. Besides that, drinking outdoors is prohibited as the government wants to stop crowds of people consuming food and beverages from gathering at Christmas markets and on streets. This, however, doesn’t affect only stalls at the markets but also dispensing windows.
Coronavirus in Czechia: Opening Hours of Restaurants Restricted
The Czech Republic will not raise its PES score despite the number of new COVID-19 cases slowly growing again, which would lead to the reintroduction of some countermeasures. The only changes that the Czech Republic will see as a result of the epidemiological situation getting worse, are the restrictions on opening hours of restaurants as well as some other minor measures.
Coronavirus in Czechia: More COVID-19 Restrictions to Be Loosened on Thursday
On Thursday, December 3 more of the COVID-19 restrictions will be released in accordance with the PES system as decided by the Czech government on Sunday, November 29. Possibly the biggest changes relate to opening stores and restaurants, though the limit on the number of people at stores remains in place. At the same time, the Minister of Health suggested another extension of the state of emergency.
Coronavirus in Czechia: State of Emergency Extended until December 12
The Czech government decided to extend the state of emergency up until December 12. The state of emergency was already extended on October 30 until November 20 to continue reducing the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading. At the same time, the government approved releasing some of the previously introduced restrictions.