As the situation around the Coronavirus is constantly changing and numbers of infected people are growing, the Czech government was forced to declare a state of emergency and introduce new emergency countermeasures. In this article, you’ll find the latest ones.
Ban on events
Due to the new Coronavirus (COVID19), the government has issued a ban on all events with more than 30 participants. That includes theatre, music and film productions and other artistic performances, sporting, cultural, religious, federal, dance, traditional and similar events and other gatherings, exhibitions, festivals, pilgrimages, shows, tastings, markets and fairs, and educational events.
This includes public as well as private events, but it does not apply to meetings and similar actions of constitutional bodies, public authorities, courts and other public bodies held by law. Therefore work won’t be affected by this countermeasure. It will, however, affect all catering services (restaurants, pubs, etc.) and people won’t be allowed to enter them from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am.
The public won’t also be allowed to use services such as gyms, swimming pools, solariums, saunas, wellness services, music, and social clubs, entertainment facilities, public libraries, and galleries.
This countermeasure comes into effect at 6:00 am, March 13, and it is not yet known how long it is going to last.
Traveling from high-risk countries
The Czech borders with Austria and Germany were closed today at 2:00 pm and people will be allowed to cross them only at specified crossing points. No foreigners traveling from the countries that are considered high-risk by the government will be allowed to enter the country unless they have a permanent or temporary residence. Neither will the Czech citizens be allowed to enter those countries. The high-risk countries are China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, France, and the UK.
Due to coronavirus, the government has stopped issuing visas and residence permits.
This countermeasure will last for at least one month depending on the severity of the situation.
If you want to learn more about how to protect yourself from the virus, read the following article under this link. For all updates, don’t hesitate to follow our Facebook.
Sources: Aktualne.cz, Novinky.cz
Photo source: Pexels.com
HI
my daughter is an American trying to leave the Czech republic via Luftansia either on March 12 or 13. Getting tickets for her and her small dog is the problem. Long holds on the phone then the call drops. I understand the flight she will get has a lay over for fueling in Frankfurt. Is Germany blocking those flights or are they allowed to land without off-loading passengers to refuel and then fly on to LAX/USA
Hi George,
We are mostly focusing on information from the Czech Republic, so I, unfortunately, don’t know much about the situation in Germany. However, as far as I am concerned, she should be able to return until 14th March. Beyond 14th March Lufthansa will only offer flights from two German cities (one of them being Frankfurt) to Chicago and New York. Germany is not blocking any flights, this is sadly (if I understand it correctly) caused by the American government’s decisions regarding traveling from the Schengen countries.
If there are any problems right now, it might be caused by the numbers of people who are also trying to return to the USA, but that is just my guess.
All I can do for you right now is to recommend you to check Lufthansa’s webpage, they compiled some useful information.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed.
Best regards,
Anna
As far as I know Germany is not blocking these flights. But I heard that Czech Republic will close its boarders at Friday midnight.
Friday, 13th of March. https://www.praguemorning.cz/czech-republic-state-of-emergency/
https://news.trust.org/item/20200312135244-9iyaa/
Hello,
My wife is Czech and i am a current holder of a Czech temporary residence. I was supposed to return to Czech Republic this week trough Bratislava but my flight was cancelled.
How can i go back to my wife if the borders are closed? I am not coming from any of the listed high risk countries, so please tell me what my options are.
If i fly in trough Vienna, will i be allowed to cross into Czech Republic?
Thank you.
Hi Danilo,
Anyone with a residence permit should be able to enter the country. We covered this in two articles:
You might be able to get there through Vienna but, unfortunately, a lot of airlines (both, Czech and Austrian) are cancelling their flights, so there is a chance you’ll have to find another way to get into the country.
Wish you luck and take care!
Best regards,
Anna
Hi, my sister and me have tickets to go to visit my son in Prague on April 27 for 3 days. Do you think we can go, that is over 6 weeks!
Maybe you can give me advise
Thank you
Lucy
Hello Lucy,
These countermeasures and restrictions will be in place for at least one month depending on the situation. If everything goes well and the situation here (and the whole of Europe) gets better, surely you’ll be able to come.
Best regards,
Anna