As of 22 November, the Czech government has implemented additional restrictions in reaction to the growing numbers of new COVID-19 cases. These include the end of acceptance of negative test results in services (including e.g. restaurants, hair salons, and concerts) and the relaunch of blanket testing in schools and companies for non-vaccinated individuals.

 

Non-vaccinated employees must be tested once a week.

 

The O-T-N becomes O-N only

The O-T-N system (vaccination-test-illness) is changing to an O-N system only (vaccination-illness) on 22 November. In other words, only vaccinated individuals and those who have undergone COVID-19 in the past 180 days can still use certain services and attend events. 

This includes:

Hair salons, mani/pedi, tanning salons, cosmetic salons, services that break the skin (e.g. tattoo parlours), eateries (incl. restaurants, cafés, bistros, cafeterias, etc.), music clubs, dance clubs, game parlours and other social clubs, discos, casinos, indoor sports centres, dance studios, gyms, pools, wellness centres, saunas, salt caves, ski lifts and tows, cable cars, zoos, botanical gardens, museums, galleries, exhibitions, castles, chateaus, planetariums, fairs and expos.

This new requirement also includes events, such as musical, theatre, film and circus performances, larger weddings and funerals (over 30 attendees), and sports matches and races.

 

Tests still accepted in some situations

Individuals who have already begun their vaccination process (i.e. have had their first dose) can still use tests to use the abovementioned services. All they need to do is present a certificate of having received that one dose.

The same applies to children below 18 years of age, who can still use tests to use the abovementioned services.

Furthermore, testing (both PCR and antigen) will still be accepted for everyone for the purpose of hospital visits (this includes fathers who want to be present at the birth of their children) and social services.

However, for spa services, you are obligated to present a PCR test only as antigen tests are not accepted there.

 

 

Mandatory testing in schools and companies 

All non-vaccinated pupils, students, and all employees are obligated to get tested once a week. Everyone needs to undergo their first test by 29 November. 

According to the Czech TV, this testing regime should go on until the end of February.

Exempt from this regime are all vaccinated individuals, those who are working from home or have a separate office, and those who have undergone COVID-19 in the past 180 days. Both PCR and antigen tests are accepted.

Individuals who refuse to get tested will be reported to the hygiene, have to wear a respirator for the entirety of their time at the office, and adhere to the social distancing of 1.5 m – including during meal-time. 

Want to keep up with all the COVID-19-related news and restrictions? Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter. It comes out once a week on Tuesday and in addition to coronavirus information, it offers fresh news from the government and the media as well as suggestions for events happening in your area!

 

Photo source: Thirdman, pexels.com
Article source: ct24