The omicron variant of coronavirus is spreading in Czechia. Therefore, the Ministry of Health has opted to launch mass testing in companies once again. In addition, the government has shortened the time for which you have to stay in isolation or quarantine from 14 to 5 days. Vaccinated individuals will now be entitled to 5 PCR tests a month.
All employees will be tested twice a week with antigen tests.
Return of mass testing in companies
Due to the omicron variant of coronavirus, the government has approved the return of obligatory mass testing in companies. It will be obligatory both for vaccinated and non-vaccinated. It should commence on 17 January.
- Employees will be tested twice a week with antigen tests
- If an employee tests positive, he/she will go into quarantine for 5 days
- Those who refuse to get tested will be reported to the Health Department by their employer. They will also be obligated to wear a respirator, adhere to the social distancing of 1.5 m, and – if possible – eat in a separate room
- Employees will be allowed to undergo confirming PCR test if interested.
If you work from home or have your own office and don’t meet with any people during your day, you are exempt from testing.
Self-employed persons also need to get tested twice a week, but only if they meet with other people whilst working.
Quarantine and isolation to become shorter
Reminder: Those whose coronavirus infection has been confirmed are going into isolation. Those who were in contact with an infected person are going into quarantine.
The Ministry has decided to shorten both quarantine and isolation from 14 days to 5 days only. This is because the omicron variant – while highly contagious – does not stay in the body as long as the alpha and the delta variant.
That being said, vaccinated individuals and those with a certificate of illness won’t have to go into quarantine if they do not have any symptoms.
The new quarantine and isolation length is valid from 11 January.
The day of your positive test/risk contact becomes “day 0”. As such, your 5 days only begin the following day.
After the end of isolation/quarantine, it is recommended that everyone wears an FFP2 respirator for the 5 following days.
5 PCR tests per month for vaccinated
It has also been decided by the government that individuals with valid vaccinations will be entitled to 5 PCR tests per month.
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: Ivan Samkov, Pexels
Article source: Czech TV, České noviny, Ministry of Health Website