| COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic | |
| Map1: | --> |
| Disease: | COVID-19 |
| Virus Strain: | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location: | Czech Republic |
| First Case: | Prague |
| Arrival Date: | 1 March 2020 (ago) |
| Origin: | Wuhan, Hubei, China |
| Recovery Cases: | 3,468,947[1] |
| Active Cases: | 417,439 |
| Hospitalized Cases: | 2,864 |
The COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 . On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[2] [3]
The first three confirmed cases in the Czech Republic were reported on 1 March 2020. On 12 March, the government declared a National state of emergency for the first time in the country's modern history. On 16 March, the country closed its borders, forbade the entry of foreigners without residence permits, and issued a nationwide curfew. While originally planned to be in effect until 24 March, the measures were later extended until 1 April[4] [5] and then again until the end of the state of emergency.[6] This was extended by the Chamber of Deputies until 30 April 2020[7] and then again until 17 May 2020.
By 11 March, Czech government had "shut down all schools, banned public events, limited public gatherings, closed the borders and shut all nonessential stores..."[8] The Czech Republic was the first[9] European country to make the wearing of face masks mandatory from 19 March onwards.[10] COVID-19 testing was made widely available with drive-through locations from 14 March,[11] and from 27 March anyone with a fever, dry cough or shortness of breath was eligible for a free test.[12] From 13 April onwards, COVID-19 testing capacity significantly surpassed demand.[13] Contact tracing in the country also included voluntary disclosure of mobile phone position and debit card payments data for previous days and the quarantining of identified contacts.[14]
By 1 May 2020, altogether 257 COVID-19-related deaths were identified in the Czech Republic compared to 2,719 in similarly populous Sweden, which did not impose a full lockdown. However, Belgium, also with a similar population, had had 7,866 deaths at that time, despite having implemented an early and strict lockdown. The Czech Republic started gradually easing measures from 7 April 2020 onwards,[15] with most restrictions being lifted by 11 May 2020.However, by 17 November 2020, the Czech Republic had recorded a total of 6,416 COVID-19-related deaths compared to 6,344 in Sweden, surpassing Sweden's deaths count. By August 2021, the Czech Republic has recorded the fourth highest confirmed death rate in the world. There are some root causes speculated. A lockdown was decided in November 2020.
Some measures undertaken by the Czech Republic differed in key aspects from other countries. A general curfew was in place between 16 March and 24 April, although with numerous exemptions. Apart from permitting essential shopping and going to and from work, as in other countries, it also permitted visiting relatives and allowed for unrestricted movement in parks and open countryside.[16] A general closure of services and retail sales was in place from 14 March until 11 May; however, all shops could conduct socially distant sales with delivery through makeshift takeout windows and the gradual opening of selected shops started in several waves from 24 March onwards.The government did not order the closure of manufacturing plants, but many did so voluntarily during the second half of March, with Hyundai spearheading a gradual reopening from 14 April.[17] [18]
Fear, anger, and hopelessness were the most frequent traumatic emotional responses in the general public during the first COVID-19 outbreak in the Czech Republic.[19] The most frequent concerns of citizens were:
There were public protests concerning both lockdown restrictions and the choice to be vaccinated. Czech Pubs reopened without authorization in early January 2021, serving customers despite the threat of a fine of 20,000 Czech Koruna (~$932 US Dollars in 2021).[20] Thousands were reported to have taken to the streets of Prague in November 2021 in protest.[21] In January of 2022, a similarly sized protest in Wenceslas Square protested against harsher restrictions on unvaccinated citizens.[22]
There was an ongoing discussion about vaccinations and its efficiency in the Czech public space. A 2022 study published in the Scientific Reports has shown the registered numbers of deaths in the Czech Republic is approximately “3.5 times lower than it would be expected without vaccination”. Authors of the study thus concluded that “vaccination is more effective in saving lives than suggested by simplistic comparisons”.[23] [24]
As of 28 January 2020, suspected cases were tested with negative results.[1]
28 February –As of 28 February 170 suspected cases were tested with negative results. 307 people were in home quarantine imposed by a regional health authority, 77 of them were in South Bohemian Region.[1]
1 March –The Minister of Health, Adam Vojtěch, reported that three cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory.[25] The three cases are treated at the Bulovka Hospital in Prague; one of the cases had been found in Ústí nad Labem, but was transported to the Bulovka Hospital.[25] All cases were connected with northern Italy. One case was a man who returned from a conference in Udine, the second case was a woman (tourist, U.S. citizen) studying in Milan and the third case was a man who returned from a skiing holiday in Auronzo di Cadore.[26] [27]
2 March –Another case was confirmed, a woman who was on skiing holiday in Auronzo di Cadore and was staying in the same hotel as the man from a previous case.[28]
3 March –Another case was reported, a woman from Ecuador studying in Milano, a friend of the U.S. tourist who tested positive several days prior.[29] Government started taking active measures (see policies section below).
5 March –Four new cases were identified a Czech and an Italian who returned from Italy by the end of February, third was related to case No. 3 and fourth was related to case No. 6.[30]
6 March –Obligatory 14 days' quarantine for people returning from selected parts of Italy announced (see policies section below).[31] [32] As of 6 March 1,011 people were already in home quarantine imposed by regional health authority, 341 of them in Prague, 160 in South Bohemian Region and 63 in Central Bohemian Region.[1] As of 6 March, some 16,500 Czechs were in Italy;[33] spring break falls between early February and the middle of March 2020.
9 March – Bulovka Hospital in Prague has announced that all but two tourists (from U.S. – case No. 2 and from Ecuador – case #5) have been released to home quarantine.[34]
10 March –Positive cases were being identified in ever increasing number of regions.[35]
11 March –Schools closed.[36]
12 March –The Czech government has declared a state of emergency for 30 days and adopted a number of measures (see policies section below).[37] [38]
13 March –Brno University Hospital (a COVID-19 testing center) was hacked, disrupting services.[39] [40]
15 March –Shortly before midnight, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced approval of the nationwide quarantine (see policies section below).
16 March –Starting at midnight, an hour after the nationwide quarantine declaration was approved the previous day, nearly 11 million Czech residents were placed under quarantine (see policies section below).[4] The Czech Republic became one of the first[41] countries in the EU to completely close its borders (with exemptions including international freight transport, see policies section below).[4] First three people were reported recovered.[42]
18 March –The Czech Republic became the first[9] country in the European Union to introduce mandatory face cover (see policies section below).[43]
21 March –Deliveries of protective gear purchased by Czech Government in China started: a heavy cargo plane Antonov An-124 Ruslan provided through NATO Support and Procurement Agency brought 100 tons of masks, respirators and coronavirus tests from China, while a China Eastern plane brought 7 million face masks.[44] This helped to alleviate the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the Czech Republic. According to Security Information Service, the shortage happened after Chinese embassy conducted massive purchases of respirators available on Czech market during January and February and transferred them to China.[45]
22 March –First death reported: a 95-year-old man.[46] While COVID-19 positive, at the time of death, the man was not at ICU and did not have pneumonia that is a COVID-19 specific type of death. The man had chronic heart issues and had also a pacemaker. The cause of death was formally established as a "complete exhaustion of organism".[47]
23 March –The local health authority in the Moravian-Silesian Region announced that 80% of COVID-19 examinations that were conducted in the region in the previous days with use of fast-test kits that government procured and airlifted from China (altogether 300,000 kits bought by the Czech Government for total price of CZK 54 m—approximately US$2.1 m) came out wrong when double-checked through standard testing.[48] [49] It was later confirmed the cause was an incorrect use where the fast-test react to an immune response and are not suitable for new patient screenings.[50]
24 March –A second death was reported: a 45-year-old man died after six days in a hospital in Havířov. The patient had had advanced cancer with metastases to multiple organs. The cause of death was established as multiple organ failure due to cancer but COVID-19 infection accelerated the patient's death.[51]
A third death was reported: a 71-year-old woman died in Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice in Prague. The woman had the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as other illnesses, so it wasn't immediately clear that she may be COVID-19 positive. Only after being hospitalised the woman informed doctors that her relative recently returned from Italy and was then tested for COVID-19. The woman was connected to a ventilator but died three days after start of hospitalisation.[52]
Apart from the Uber driver on ECMO, there were 19 other patients in hospitals in serious condition, all of them connected to ventilators.[52]
25 March –The fourth and fifth deaths were reported: The fourth death was an 82-year-old from Prague with long-term chronic health problems. The fifth patient is an 88-year-old man from the Central Bohemian Region who was at home getting treatment and had a chronic disease.[53]
A sixth patient died at Thomayer Hospital. The 75-year-old patient had diabetes and Parkinson's disease and also had advanced heart problems. The patient had been in the hospital since January and got infected while in post-operative care. After this patient tested positive for COVID-19, the hospital tested all 29 other patients in the same ward on 22 March, all negative. The test was repeated again on 25 March, this time with positive outcomes for 13 patients. Several of the hospital's staff had become infected earlier, probably while taking care of the Uber driver who would later become the first remdesivir receiver in the country. This patient was originally admitted with simple pneumonia without initial indication of COVID-19. Two of the infected nurses were hospitalised at the local pulmonary ward at the time of the sixth patient's death.[53] [54]
The government was planning to evacuate Czechs from Australia and New Zealand by the end of the week. Hundreds of Czechs still remained abroad, mainly in Oceania and Southeast Asia.[53]
An Antonov An-124 Ruslan provided through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency arrived again with 24 tons of medical products purchased by the Czech government in China. The shipment included 52,600 protective suits, 70,900 protective glasses, 250,000 gloves, 1.16 million respirators and eight million masks. Further government purchased personal protection equipment shipments were planned for delivery with use of planes by the companies Smartwings and China Eastern Airlines, which were contracted for nine flights per week for six weeks in advance.[55]
Commuters
Thirty-seven thousand and 13,000 Czechs live in the Czech Republic and work in Germany and Austria, respectively, large portion of that in healthcare.[56] Cross-border workers (known as pendlers) were originally exempted from the complete travel ban. As Germany and Austria gradually became major centers of COVID-19 outbreak, the Government started tightening up rules for commuters. By 26 March, Czechs commuting to work in Austria and Germany were required to remain in those countries for at least 21 days. Upon return, they would be quarantined for 14 days. Czechs working in health, social services, and emergency services abroad were not subject to the new rules.[57] [58] The rules were eased from 14 April onwards (see policies section below).
Districts bordering Germany and Austria gradually became major centers of COVID-19 outbreak in the Czech Republic. Domažlice District reached the highest number of COVID-19 positive persons relative to population size in the country. According to Vice-prime Minister Czech government avoided closing the commuter loophole because German and Austrian healthcare system in areas close to the border is dependent on Czech commuters and also because government feared it could lead Slovakia to close access to Slovak commuters working in Czech healthcare.[59] [60] [61]
26 March –A Taiwanese student in her twenties, who recently returned to Taiwan from the Czech Republic tested positive for coronavirus. She left the Czech Republic after 8 months in the country on 19 March 2020, announced symptoms (fever, diarrhoea) to Taiwanese authorities on 24 March and was diagnosed COVID-19 positive on 26 March 2020.[62] Thirty-four patients were in severe condition.[63]
27 March –Despite having been quarantined already for two weeks, at least six retirement homes were hit by the spread of the COVID-19 virus.[64] Authorities noted also the rising number of COVID-19 positive healthcare workers.[65] As the capacity for COVID-19 testing increased, authorities eased requirements for free testing. Anyone with a fever, dry cough or shortness of breath may be eligible for a free COVID-19 test.[12]
29 March –Five people died. Among the victims was a 45-year-old nurse from Thomayer Hospital, an elderly woman from a senior home in Michle and an elderly woman from a senior home in Břevnice. There were 227 patients in hospitals, 45 of them in severe condition.[66]
30 March –In South Moravia, testing of the so-called "smart quarantine" was started: local travel history of infected persons were to be tracked using data from mobile phones and bank cards. Three hundred military personnel were deployed to reinforce local health authority for the purpose of tracing patients' contacts and collecting samples. If this approach is deemed successful by the authorities for diminishing the pandemic, the "smart quarantine" method is planned to replace the existing nationwide curfew policy.[67] The city of Uherský Brod started thorough disinfection of all common areas of apartment buildings and public areas after a significant increase in COVID-19 infections. Health authority registered thirty new cases in the town.[68] The Government also issued a decree for citizens to make cloth face masks for the nation.[69]
31 March –In a community of 72 people living in a retirement home in Litoměřice, 52 positive tests were confirmed.[70] Employees of the retirement home in Česká Kamenice decided to stay with their clients 24 hours a day until 15 April, to avoid the seniors getting COVID-19.[71]
1 April –One month ago the Czech Republic reported the first coronavirus case. A second senior from the Litoměřice retirement home died, as well as seniors from Prague and Moravia-Silesia.[72] The Department of Infectious Diseases of the Central Military Hospital in Prague has treated COVID-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine. Eight of them have already been released for home quarantine. The evaluation of preliminary results of this therapy will be carried out in April. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine were originally used to treat malaria, but at present they also help patients with autoimmune diseases—rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus.The World Health Organization (WHO) considers these substances as one of the options to treat COVID-19.[73]
Supreme Administrative Court ruled that Government decision to postpone the Senate district 32 by-election due to COVID-19 pandemic was illegal. According to the court, the Government lacked the authority to make such a decision, as that can only be done by an Act of Parliament. The by-election to fill a seat after Jaroslav Kubera, who died of heart attack, was originally planned on 27 March and would take place on 5 June.[74]
Czech aid to other countries
Foreign aid to the Czech Republic
2 April –One victim died at the General University Hospital in Prague (VFN); another victim was a 79-year-old patient hospitalised at the Hradec Králové University Hospital.[87] The government decided to extend the border control by 20 days. Border checks with Germany and Austria will last until midnight Friday, 24 April.[88]
3 April –A public controversy has arisen around shipments of personal protective equipment that the Czech Government purchased and airlifted from China. On 31 March, Mayor of Prague Zdeněk Hřib publicly praised Government of Taiwan for donating ICU ventilators to the Czech Republic, while pointing out that all of the equipment from China was purchased, none was donated. Representatives of China's business interest in the Czech Republic countered by claiming that China donated personal protective equipment that was to be handed over to Czech hospitals on 1 April. According to the media, Czech authorities received a promise of donation of PPE; however, none have reached the country by 3 April 2020.[89]
4 April – There were 29 infected police officers in the Czech Republic, 343 more were in preventive quarantine.[90]
6 April – Government eased a number of restrictive measures, e.g. by opening outside sporting grounds (including skiing, shooting ranges, etc.), movement in parks and nature without face masks and opening of more shops and services (see policies section below).
7 April – Government sought extension of the State of Emergency for 30 days, i.e. until 12 May 2020. Chamber of Deputies of Parliament granted extension until 30 April 2020.[91]
12 April – Government announced that it was preparing a plan for gradual lifting of remaining restrictions. Government aimed at reaching maximum of 400 newly infected people a day to prevent overburdening the healthcare system. Instead of general restrictions, the intended maximum number should be reached through contact tracing of positive cases (see policies section below).[92]
13 April – Number of COVID-19 tests sank from 8,000 a day to mere 3,200 a day during Easter weekend which included also Friday and Monday as state holidays. According to health authority, testing capacity during Easter weekend significantly surpassed demand for testing from potential patients. Health authority expected the demand to rise again in the following week.[13]
14 April – A month-long complete border closure ended (see policies section below). A large number of Czech Romanis started returning from particularly hit United Kingdom, where many lived for over 15 years, leading to fear of possible increase of COVID-19 infection.[93] [94]
Hyundai factory in Nošovice, which makes 1,500 cars a day including Kona Electric, restarted production after three weeks' pause. Ten days later, Government exempted Korean Hyundai "specialists and key workers" needed for ramp up of electric vehicle production from cross-border and quarantine restrictions. Manufacturing plants were unaffected by Government restrictions; however, many had decided to close voluntarily.[17] [18]
The Czech government outlines a five-step plan for re-opening shops, restaurants and other businesses. Each subsequent step will be triggered as planned only if the previous step has not resulted in a total of 400 new COVID-19 patients per day.[95]
The aforementioned timeline was not kept as government significantly accelerated lifting of restrictions in the following weeks, with most being lifted by 11 May.
22 April – Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced that the Government will not request the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament to extend the State of Emergency beyond 30 April. Meanwhile, Minister of Interior announced that he will seek further discussion of the topic, claiming that State of Emergency is crucial for Government's ability to fast procure and distribute personal protection equipment outside of standard lawful procurement process.[96] 23 April – The Municipal Court in Prague invalidated some of the restrictions adopted to battle the COVID-19 spread. In particular, the court invalidated Ministry of Health Protection Measures that introduced curfew, banned hospital visits and banned selected retail sale and services. The court held that such wide restrictions of basic rights may be adopted only under the Crisis Act by the Government as whole and not under Protection of Public Health Act by the Ministry of Health alone. Both the curfew and retail sale ban were originally adopted by Government Resolutions on 14 and 15 March, respectively; however, then they were replaced by Ministry of Health Protection Measures from 24 March onwards. The court invalidated these measures from 27 April onwards, giving the Government three days to remedy the situation. The Ministry of Health may lodge an appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court. On the day of court's decision, there were suits against 17 other measures still pending.[97]
While Ministry of Health Protection Measures may be adopted indefinitely, Government Measures under Crisis Act may be adopted only for period of State of Emergency.[98] Government may declare State of Emergency for period of 30 days, any prolongation requires assent of the Chamber of Deputies.[99]
24 April – In line with the decision of the Municipal Court of Prague, the Government announced that it would seek Chamber of Deputies' consent to extend the State of Emergency until 25 May. At the same time the Government announced a faster roadmap for the lifting of restrictions.[100]
28 April – The Government sought an extension of the State of Emergency until 25 May 2020. The Chamber of Deputies of Parliament granted an extension until 17 May 2020.
6 May – The Ministry of Health presented the outcome of the COVID-19 prevalence study conducted over the previous weeks. Out of 26,549 people (volunteers and vulnerable groups with chronic diseases) tested for the presence of anti-bodies, the countrywide testing identified only 107 people with antibodies who were previously undetected. This showed a high success rate of contact tracing and quarantine measures and a very low rate of virus presence in the general population.[101]
State of Emergency ended on 17 May. Extraordinary measures either ended or were extended beyond the State of Emergency with lesser restrictions. According to Ministry of Health, the main aim going forward was to achieve three main objectives:
A court ordered pre-trial detention of a first person charged with spreading of COVID-19. A 32-year-old woman was arrested for movement at a public space without a face mask, although she had been personally ordered to remain in quarantine. Despite quarantine order, the woman used a taxi and visited a shopping mall. The woman was jailed at a hospital ward of Brno prison. If convicted, she may be sentenced to up to 8 years' imprisonment.[102]
A new major COVID-19 hotspot emerged in the city of Karviná. Over 150 workers became infected at a black coal mine where miners work in tight shafts as deep as 1,000 metres[103] underground. Authorities expected the number to significantly rise further as the workers' family members were likely to become positive later. Among those infected were also many foreign workers from Poland, where coal mines became hotspots in previous weeks. Health authority planned to conduct testing of all 2,400 workers within three days. Czech Army deployed six medical teams to assist local authority in collection of samples and contact tracing. As of 22 May, up to 40% of infected miners had no symptoms with many others reporting tiredness as the only symptom. Meanwhile, a school was temporarily closed down in nearby city of Havířov after a child of one of the miners tested positive. Apart from the coal mining hotspot, authorities deemed situation in the rest of the country as stable, except for Prague where they identified several small clusters with community spread.[104] [105] [106]
Most restrictions have been lifted.[107] Borders were reopened and events of up to 500 people allowed.[108]
1 July – OKD suspends mining in Karviná area following COVID-19 outbreaks. In the ČSM mines, 704 of the 3,403 employees tested were positive for COVID-19. That equates to 20.7 per cent, but the vast majority of them had no or only very mild symptoms of the disease.[109]
23 July – An outbreak of coronavirus linked to a music club in Prague has increased to 98 cases, including footballers from several of the city's clubs. Czech Republic reported 247 new cases on Wednesday, the highest number since a spike in late June in Karvina.[110]
To combat an uptick in coronavirus cases in the country, Institute of Health Information and Statistics presented the Czech regional traffic light rating system, which has four levels.[111]
27 August – UK removes Czech Republic from list of "green" countries. Travellers arriving from the Czech Republic will have to quarantine from 0400 hrs on Saturday, the UK Government has announced.[112]
The Czech PM Andrej Babiš nixes the preventive face mask regulations established by Health Ministry, which were supposed to come in place when children return to school after the holidays on 1 September. Masks will now no longer be needed anywhere in schools, with the exception of schools that make it to the "orange" level of medium-risk for COVID-19 in the Czech Republic's regional health map.Masks will need to be worn on public transport, inside healthcare environments, and polling stations.[113]
1 September – 257 new cases reported. Mandatory to wear face masks on public transport, public indoor areas (such as shopping malls, offices, post offices, offices) and indoor public events, regardless of the number of visitors.Schools are excluded from the restrictions.[114]
Schools re-open across the country[115]
10 September – 1,161 new cases. Number of new cases has now exceeded 1,000 for the past two days.[116] face masks will be required in all indoor spaces throughout the Czech Republic from today.There are a total of 25 exceptions to that requirement, including when eating or drinking in restaurants, exercising in gyms, or working in an office at least two meters away from others. Schools, kindergartens and playgrounds are excluded from restrictions[116]
Belgium has placed Prague on its list of "red" risk zones, requiring a mandatory two-week quarantine on arrival for incoming travellers from the Czech capital.[116]
18 September – The Czech Republic reported more than 3,000 cases in a single day for the first time[117]
The wearing of face masks is now mandatory in all interior spaces of universities.Kindergartens and primary schools and playgrounds remain regularly open, where no face masks will be needed.[118]
21 September – Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtěch has unexpectedly announced his resignation.[119] Roman Prymula will become new Czech Health Minister.Prymula predicted that the daily number of COVID-19 cases in Czech Republic will soon reach 6,000–8,000, after hitting a high of over 3,000 cases in the previous week.[120]
25 September Ladislav Dušek, director of the Institute of Health Information and Statistics (ÚZIS), announced that in the first two weeks of September, almost 400 teachers in Czech schools became infected with COVID-19.Dušek also stated that from the beginning of the epidemic until mid-September, workers in administration and engineering, the unemployed, and the self-employed were the groups that got infected most often.The number of infected healthcare professionals has also grown significantly recently. According to data published by the Czech Medical Chamber, 259 physicians became infected up until 19 September. However, just a month earlier it was four people. Among nurses, the number of people infected increased from three to 433 from 20 August.[121]
5 October – The Czech Republic comes under a state of emergency. Indoor events with over 10 participants will be prohibited, the same applies to outdoor events with over 20 participants.Professional sport matches will be without spectators and can be attended by a maximum of 130 athletes, coaches, and other members of the staff.Concerts, theatre performances, and other artistic performances and festivals involving a significant amount of singing, including rehearsals are prohibited.There is a 100-person limit on the attendance of religious services, at which singing is also prohibited.Limit of 30 people for weddings and funeralsRestrictions will also apply to the number of people sharing one table at restaurants and other catering facilities as only six people at most will be allowed to sit at one table.Educational facilities would follow the instructions of their regional public health authorities, which will issue measures depending on the situation in the region and in line with the epidemiological traffic light system.A restriction on tuition in the form of a switch to distance learning is to apply to secondary and higher vocational schools and universities in regions with a red or amber.Kindergartens and first stage primary schools remain regularly open, where no face masks will be needed.The wearing of face masks is mandatory in all interior spaces of universities.No restrictions on travelling were introduced[122] [123]
8 October – New record with 5,335 new COVID-19 cases reported in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic overtook Spain as Europe's most-affected country.
The percentage of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalisation rose above 4% for the first time in three months.
Secondary schools and universities have switched to distance learning but only in high-risk areas of the Czech Republic.Visits and tours to zoos and all organised hobby, recreational and other clubs for children from 6 to 18 years old are banned.Kindergartens and primary schools remain regularly open, where no face masks will be needed.[124]
9 October – The Czech government announced new restrictions. Indoor sports facilities and culture venues will have to close for 2 weeks. Restaurants and other catering facilities will have to close as early as 8 pm. Dining establishments will be limited to 4 people at one table, and pupils in the upper level of elementary schools will alternate in-class and distance learning.
A group of shopping centers in Prague have decided to temporarily switch off their wifi in an attempt to stop students from gathering there.Lower levels of elementary schools, kindergartens and playgrounds are not effected by the new restrictions and remain open, without face masks needed.[125]
12 October – The presence of students at universities will be prohibited, with the exception of clinical and practical teaching as well internships in study programmes for general medicine, dentistry, pharmacology and other healthcare study programmes.[126] Measures were also taken on 12 October that were intended for elementary and secondary schools, but they were substantially changed the following day.
13 October – Czech government unveiled very strict anti-COVID measures. They will be valid for 14 days, starting from 14 October. The new measures include the closure of pubs and restaurants and a ban on public alcohol consumption. Pubs and restaurants may still operate on a delivery and takeaway basis. Takeaway windows can only operate until 8 pm. Additional measures are aimed at preventing people from gathering in public. They include a limit on group sizes to a maximum of six people. The requirement to wear a face mask in all train, tram, and bus stations is mandatory. All primary and secondary schools will switch to distance learning. The measures regarding schools will last through 1 November. Playgrounds and kindergartens remain open without any restrictions.[127]
Police from the 11th General Crime Department of the First Police District in Prague uncovered an underground venue on Vodičková Street in central Prague operating after 8 pm, with around 35 guests packed into a cellar bar, who were drinking, dancing, and consuming drugs in late hours of the night.[128]
15 October – A record 9,500 COVID cases out of a record amount of 30,894 performed tests.Czech Railways restricts connections and will adjust the operation of long-distance trains beyond rush hours.[129] Prime Minister Andrej Babiš announced the government will start increasing the number of beds outside hospitals this weekend. Around 3,000 beds plus an additional 1,000 for specialised treatment. Locations the government is looking at are spa facilities around the country and a field hospital, to be built by the army, at the Letňany Exhibition Center.[130]
18 October – A Sunday-afternoon demonstration against the Czech government's anti-coronavirus restrictions ended in dramatic clashes between protesters and the police after the rally was officially terminated. There were roughly 2,000 people at the rally. Several protesters were football fans who attempted to break through the police cordon. Resulting in 144 arrests and dozens of injuries[131]
20 October – Face masks again become mandatory at outdoor locations in cities, towns and villages where people are less than two meters apart. Within the Czech Republic, the highest rates of COVID-19 infection are now being reported in Zlín (798 cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days), Plzeň-North (725 cases), and Prostějov (720 cases).In Prague, there have been 501 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over the past week.[132]
21 October – Government have announced a new series of lockdown measures that will close most shops and services from the 22nd.With the exception of grocery stores, drugstores, pharmacies, and other shops providing essential goods all retail stores in the Czech Republic must close as of 6:00 a.m. on Thursday morning, 22 October. The same applies to hairdressers, nail salons, and other venues providing similar services. Outside groups will be limited to a maximum of two, with the exception of family members from the same household. Only necessary travel should be undertaken, such as travelling to work or to buy food. The new measures will last until the end of the current state of emergency in the Czech Republic, on 3 November.The new measures do not affect the operation of nurseries and kindergartens, which may remain open. All other schools in the Czech Republic have switched to distance learning.[133]
23 October – The health minister Roman Prymula has been under fire to resign after a media report that he broke strict government restrictions and visited a Prague restaurant, which should have been closed following the restrictions set by his ministry. In the photographs, Prymula also didn't wear a mandatory mask.[134]
Tests per day (including repeated tests on the same person)https://onemocneni-aktualne.mzcr.cz/covid-19
Development daily ratio (in%) of number of persons tested positive on the total number of tests performed (including repeated tests on the same person)https://onemocneni-aktualne.mzcr.cz/covid-19
Development of R ratio in the Czech Republichttps://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/koronavirus-info-118492
If the reproduction number is higher than one (1,0), then the number of cases increases exponentiallyif the number is lower the disease will eventually stop spreading, as not enough new people are being infected to sustain the outbreak.[135]
| Cases | Recovered | Deaths | Lethality | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Women | Total | Men | Women | Total | Men | Women | Total | Men | Women | Total | |||
| All< | --cases--> | 314,997 (%) | 345,261 (%) | 660,240 (100%) | 277,485 (%) | 306,110 (%) | 583,595 (100%) | 6,314 (%) | 4,944 (%) | 11,258 (100%) | % | % | % | |
| Age | 0–14 | 30,180 | 28,708 | 58,888 | 26,598 (9.6%) | 25,250 (8.2%) | 51,848 (8.9%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |
| 15–24 | 33,061 | 33,372 | 66,433 | 30,427 (11.0%) | 30,647 (10.0%) | 61,074 (10.5%) | 2 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 2 (0.0%) | % | 0.00% | % | ||
| 25–34 | 48,281 | 45,733 | 94,014 | 44,480 (16.0%) | 41,571 (13.6%) | 86,051 (14.7%) | 12 (0.2%) | 7 (0.1%) | 19 (0.2%) | % | % | % | ||
| 35–44 | 55,454 | 62,034 | 117,488 | 50,016 (18.0%) | 55,725 (18.2%) | 105,741 (18.1%) | 40 (0.6%) | 25 (0.5%) | 65 (0.6%) | % | % | % | ||
| 45–54 | 58,329 | 69,582 | 127,911 | 52,597 (19.0%) | 63,137 (20.6%) | 115,734 (19.8%) | 107 (1.7%) | 64 (1.3%) | 171 (1.5%) | % | % | % | ||
| 55–64 | 42,854 | 45,217 | 88,071 | 37,997 (13.7%) | 40,338 (13.2%) | 78,385 (13.4%) | 462 (7.3%) | 196 (4.0%) | 658 (5.8%) | % | % | % | ||
| 65–74 | 27,270 | 27,716 | 54,986 | 21,976 (7.9%) | 23,443 (7.7%) | 45,419 (7.8%) | 1,729 (27.4%) | 814 (16.5%) | 2,543 (22.6%) | % | % | % | ||
| 75–84 | 14,351 | 19,675 | 34,026 | 10,097 (3.6%) | 15,758 (5.1%) | 25,855 (4.4%) | 2,473 (39.2%) | 1,804 (36.5%) | 4,277 (38.0%) | % | % | % | ||
| 85+ | 5,199 | 13,224 | 18,426 | 3,297 (1.2%) | 10,191 (3.3%) | 13,488 (2.3%) | 1,489 (24.3%) | 2,034 (41.7%) | 3,523 (31.5%) | % | % | % | ||
| --float:right; clear:right;--> margin:0 0 0.5em 1em;" | +COVID-19 cases in the Czech Republic[136] | Date | Confirmed | Recovered | Deaths | Active cases | Tested (Total) | Detected ratio | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | Total | New | Total | New | Total | ||||||
| 28 February | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 193 | |||
| 29 February | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 200 | |||
| 1 March | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 211 | % | ||
| 2 March | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 262 | % | ||
| 3 March | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 340 | % | ||
| 4 March | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 407 | % | ||
| 5 March | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 483 | % | ||
| 6 March | 11 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 594 | % | ||
| 7 March | 7 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 787 | % | ||
| 8 March | 6 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 928 | % | ||
| 9 March | 6 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 1,193 | % | ||
| 10 March | 25 | 63 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 1,358 | % | ||
| 11 March | 31 | 94 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 94 | 1,816 | % | ||
| 12 March | 22 | 116 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 116 | 2,353 | % | ||
| 13 March | 25 | 141 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 141 | 3,198 | % | ||
| 14 March | 48 | 189 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 189 | 4,184 | % | ||
| 15 March | 109 | 298 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 295 | 5,212 | % | ||
| 16 March | 85 | 383 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 380 | 6,531 | % | ||
| 17 March | 67 | 450 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 447 | 7,825 | % | ||
| 18 March | 110 | 560 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 557 | 9,581 | % | ||
| 19 March | 205 | 765 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 761 | 11,840 | % | ||
| 20 March | 124 | 889 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 881 | 13,961 | % | ||
| 21 March | 158 | 1,047 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1,038 | 15,843 | % | ||
| 22 March | 114 | 1,161 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1,151 | 17,644 | % | ||
| 23 March | 126 | 1,287 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1,274 | 19,935 | % | ||
| 24 March | 185 | 1,472 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 1,456 | 22,997 | % | ||
| 25 March | 291 | 1,763 | 3 | 16 | 6 | 9 | 1,738 | 27,104 | % | ||
| 26 March | 259 | 2,022 | 7 | 23 | 1 | 10 | 1,989 | 31,737 | % | ||
| 27 March | 373 | 2,395 | 11 | 34 | 2 | 12 | 2,349 | 37,096 | % | ||
| 28 March | 262 | 2,657 | 4 | 38 | 5 | 17 | 2,602 | 41,320 | % | ||
| 29 March | 160 | 2,817 | 12 | 50 | 6 | 23 | 2,744 | 44,168 | % | ||
| 30 March | 184 | 3,001 | 25 | 75 | 5 | 28 | 2,898 | 49,327 | % | ||
| 31 March | 307 | 3,308 | 14 | 89 | 7 | 35 | 3,184 | 55,988 | % | ||
| Date | Confirmed | Recovered | Deaths | Active cases | Tested (Total) | Detected ratio | |||||
| New | Total | New | Total | New | Total | ||||||
| 1 April | 281 | 3,589 | 40 | 129 | 8 | 43 | 3,417 | 62,090 | % | ||
| 2 April | 269 | 3,858 | 35 | 164 | 5 | 48 | 3,646 | 68,763 | % | ||
| 3 April | 332 | 4,190 | 54 | 218 | 9 | 57 | 3,915 | 76,161 | % | ||
| 4 April | 282 | 4,472 | 39 | 257 | 8 | 65 | 4,150 | 81,998 | % | ||
| 5 April | 115 | 4,587 | 39 | 296 | 11 | 76 | 4,215 | 86,810 | % | ||
| 6 April | 235 | 4,822 | 81 | 377 | 7 | 83 | 4,362 | 93,245 | % | ||
| 7 April | 195 | 5,017 | 110 | 487 | 9 | 92 | 4,438 | 101,418 | % | ||
| 8 April | 295 | 5,312 | 96 | 583 | 14 | 106 | 4,623 | 109,887 | % | ||
| 9 April | 257 | 5,569 | 162 | 745 | 11 | 117 | 4,707 | 118,067 | % | ||
| 10 April | 163 | 5,732 | 120 | 865 | 10 | 127 | 4,740 | 123,769 | % | ||
| 11 April | 170 | 5,902 | 119 | 984 | 10 | 137 | 4,781 | 128,660 | % | ||
| 12 April | 89 | 5,991 | 99 | 1,083 | 10 | 147 | 4,761 | 131,910 | % | ||
| 13 April | 68 | 6,059 | 97 | 1,180 | 10 | 157 | 4,722 | 135,125 | % | ||
| 14 April | 82 | 6,141 | 178 | 1,358 | 8 | 165 | 4,618 | 141,298 | % | ||
| 15 April | 160 | 6,301 | 184 | 1,542 | 0 | 165 | 4,594 | 149,774 | % | ||
| 16 April | 132 | 6,433 | 245 | 1,787 | 2 | 167 | 4,479 | 158,155 | % | ||
| 17 April | 116 | 6,549 | 287 | 2,074 | 7 | 174 | 4,301 | 166,443 | % | ||
| 18 April | 105 | 6,654 | 132 | 2,206 | 5 | 179 | 4,269 | 172,048 | % | ||
| 19 April | 92 | 6,746 | 132 | 2,338 | 9 | 188 | 4,220 | 176,075 | % | ||
| 20 April | 154 | 6,900 | 212 | 2,550 | 8 | 196 | 4,154 | 182,642 | % | ||
| 21 April | 133 | 7,033 | 202 | 2,752 | 9 | 205 | 4,076 | 190,983 | % | ||
| 22 April | 99 | 7,132 | 276 | 3,028 | 2 | 207 | 3,897 | 199,801 | % | ||
| 23 April | 55 | 7,187 | 216 | 3,244 | 5 | 212 | 3,731 | 207,702 | % | ||
| 24 April | 86 | 7,273 | 223 | 3,467 | 7 | 219 | 3,587 | 214,831 | % | ||
| 25 April | 79 | 7,352 | 122 | 3,589 | 4 | 223 | 3,540 | 219,277 | % | ||
| 26 April | 52 | 7,404 | 75 | 3,664 | 3 | 226 | 3,514 | 222,658 | % | ||
| 27 April | 41 | 7,445 | 163 | 3,827 | 1 | 227 | 3,391 | 230,412 | % | ||
| 28 April | 59 | 7,504 | 127 | 3,954 | 4 | 231 | 3,319 | 239,153 | % | ||
| 29 April | 75 | 7,579 | 157 | 4,111 | 4 | 235 | 3,233 | 246,475 | % | ||
| 30 April | 103 | 7,682 | 166 | 4,277 | 9 | 244 | 3,161 | 253,871 | % | ||
| Date | Confirmed | Recovered | Deaths | Active cases | Tested (Total) | Detected ratio | |||||
| New | Total | New | Total | New | Total | ||||||
| 1 May | 55 | 7,737 | 98 | 4,375 | 6 | 250 | 3,112 | 258,284 | % | ||
| 2 May | 18 | 7,755 | 90 | 4,465 | 2 | 252 | 3,038 | 262,164 | % | ||
| 3 May | 26 | 7,781 | 53 | 4,518 | 3 | 255 | 3,008 | 266,045 | % | ||
| 4 May | 38 | 7,819 | 134 | 4,652 | 5 | 260 | 2,907 | 273,672 | % | ||
| 5 May | 77 | 7,896 | 141 | 4,793 | 2 | 262 | 2,841 | 283,119 | % | ||
| 6 May | 78 | 7,974 | 151 | 4,944 | 4 | 266 | 2,764 | 291,202 | % | ||
| 7 May | 57 | 8,031 | 132 | 5,076 | 5 | 271 | 2,684 | 298,784 | % | ||
| 8 May | 46 | 8,077 | 53 | 5,129 | 4 | 275 | 2,673 | 303,341 | % | ||
| 9 May | 18 | 8,095 | 64 | 5,193 | 4 | 279 | 2,623 | 307,123 | % | ||
| 10 May | 28 | 8,123 | 41 | 5,234 | 3 | 282 | 2,607 | 311,174 | % | ||
| 11 May | 53 | 8,176 | 110 | 5,344 | 2 | 284 | 2,548 | 318,979 | % | ||
| 12 May | 45 | 8,221 | 77 | 5,421 | 3 | 287 | 2,513 | 327,688 | % | ||
| 13 May | 48 | 8,269 | 115 | 5,536 | 4 | 291 | 2,443 | 335,375 | % | ||
| 14 May | 82 | 8,351 | 77 | 5,613 | 3 | 294 | 2,445 | 342,262 | % | ||
| 15 May | 55 | 8,406 | 62 | 5,675 | 2 | 296 | 2,436 | 348,965 | % | ||
| 16 May | 49 | 8,455 | 36 | 5,711 | 1 | 297 | 2,448 | 353,223 | % | ||
| 17 May | 20 | 8,475 | 43 | 5,754 | 2 | 299 | 2,423 | 356,717 | % | ||
| 18 May | 111 | 8,586 | 66 | 5,913 | 3 | 302 | 2,372 | 364,115 | % | ||
| 19 May | 61 | 8,647 | 37 | 5,950 | 2 | 304 | 2,394 | 372,440 | % | ||
| 20 May | 74 | 8,721 | 63 | 6,013 | 5 | 309 | 2,400 | 379,948 | % | ||
| 21 May | 33 | 8,754 | 38 | 6,051 | 3 | 312 | 2,392 | 387,235 | % | ||
| 22 May | 59 | 8,813 | 15 | 6,066 | 2 | 314 | 2,434 | 394,944 | % | ||
| 23 May | 77 | 8,890 | 31 | 6,254 | 1 | 315 | 2,322 | 400,112 | % | ||
| 24 May | 65 | 8,955 | 23 | 6,309 | 2 | 317 | 2,329 | 403,722 | % | ||
| 25 May | 47 | 9,002 | 70 | 6,456 | 1 | 318 | 2,227 | 411,142 | % | ||
| 26 May | 48 | 9,050 | 60 | 6,516 | 0 | 318 | 2,215 | 418,372 | % | ||
| 27 May | 36 | 9,086 | 62 | 6,578 | 0 | 318 | 2,189 | 425,146 | % | ||
| 28 May | 54 | 9,140 | 25 | 6,603 | 2 | 320 | 2,216 | 431,157 | % | ||
| 29 May | 56 | 9,196 | 42 | 6,645 | 0 | 320 | 2,230 | 437,255 | % | ||
| 30 May | 34 | 9,230 | 22 | 6,667 | 0 | 320 | 2,242 | 440,761 | % | ||
| 31 May | 38 | 9,268 | 14 | 6,681 | 0 | 320 | 2,266 | 442,866 | % | ||
| Date | Confirmed | Recovered | Deaths | Active cases | Tested (Total) | Detected ratio | |||||
| New | Total | New | Total | New | Total | ||||||
| 1 June | 34 | 9,302 | 38 | 6,880 | 2 | 320 | 2,102 | 449,356 | % | ||
| 2 June | 62 | 9,364 | 52 | 6,932 | 1 | 321 | 2,111 | 455,834 | % | ||
| 3 June | 74 | 9,438 | 54 | 6,986 | 1 | 322 | 2,130 | 461,147 | % | ||
| 4 June | 56 | 9,494 | 32 | 7,018 | 2 | 324 | 2,151 | 466,158 | % | ||
| 5 June | 35 | 9,529 | 44 | 7,062 | 0 | 324 | 2,142 | 470,331 | % | ||
| 6 June | 38 | 9,567 | 10 | 7,092 | 0 | 324 | 2,151 | 472,481 | % | ||
| 7 June | 61 | 9,628 | 13 | 7,105 | 1 | 325 | 2,198 | 474,608 | % | ||
| 8 June | 69 | 9,697 | 35 | 7,140 | 0 | 325 | 2,232 | 479,292 | % | ||
| 9 June | 54 | 9,751 | 20 | 7,160 | 1 | 326 | 2,265 | 483,844 | % | ||
| 10 June | 73 | 9,824 | 48 | 7,329 | 1 | 327 | 2,168 | 487,912 | % | ||
| 11 June | 62 | 9,886 | 23 | 7,352 | 1 | 328 | 2,206 | 491,651 | % | ||
| 12 June | 52 | 9,938 | 29 | 7,381 | 1 | 329 | 2,228 | 495,377 | % | ||
| 13 June | 53 | 9,991 | 9 | 7,390 | 0 | 329 | 2,272 | 497,029 | % | ||
| 14 June | 33 | 10,024 | 8 | 7,398 | 1 | 330 | 2,272 | 498,150 | % | ||
| 15 June | 40 | 10,064 | 17 | 7,415 | 1 | 331 | 2,318 | 501,823 | % | ||
| 16 June | 47 | 10,111 | 17 | 7,415 | 1 | 332 | 2,347 | 505,846 | % | ||
| 17 June | 51 | 10,162 | 28 | 7,432 | 1 | 333 | 2,369 | 509,882 | % | ||
| 18 June | 118 | 10,280 | 17 | 7,477 | 2 | 335 | 2,468 | 514,233 | % | ||
| 19 June | 126 | 10,406 | 27 | 7,504 | 0 | 335 | 2,567 | 517,584 | % | ||
| 20 June | 42 | 10,448 | 0 | 7,504 | 0 | 335 | 2,609 | 519,147 | % | ||
| 21 June | 50 | 10,498 | 1 | 7,505 | 1 | 336 | 2,657 | 520,344 | % | ||
| 29 June | 201 | 11,827 | 51 | 8,982 | 0 | 344 | 2,501 | 551,677 | % | ||
| Date | Confirmed | Recovered | Deaths | Active cases | Tested (Total) | Detected ratio | |||||
| New | Total | New | Total | New | Total | ||||||
| 6 July | 51 | 12,585 | 38 | 9,438 | 1 | 351 | 2,796 | 575,381 | % | ||
| 20 July | 169 | 14,128 | 114 | 11,427 | 0 | 389 | 2,342 | 632,395 | % | ||
| 3 August | 208 | 16,996 | 210 | 12,925 | 2 | 385 | 3,686 | 714,756 | % | ||
| 17 August | 191 | 20,203 | 266 | 15,587 | 4 | 403 | 4,213 | 807,398 | % | ||
| 31 August | 256 | 24,616 | 290 | 18,564 | 1 | 424 | 5,628 | 912,715 | % | ||
| 7 September | 560 | 28,710 | 313 | 20,183 | 2 | 439 | 8,088 | 984,044 | % | ||
The main priority of affected nations currently is to move to a slower doubling time of new cases, to ensure less crowded hospitals and therefore a lower case-fatality rate.[137] [138]
Governments of different countries take different approaches to flatten the epidemic curve. Beside travel bans and isolation of complete communities, citizens are also often requested to stay at home and keep social distance.[137]
Research indicates that measures must be applied rigorously and immediately to be effective. Also, the national community's commitment to supporting/tolerating the restrictions and following the advice of health authorities plays an important role in the success of flattening the epidemic curve and limiting the spread of the virus.[139] [140]
For example, in South Korea mass testing efforts were successful. The South Korean national testing capacity reached 15,000 tests per day. Compared to population size, the Czech Republic reached the same rate of testing on 23 March 2020. The Ministry of Interior in South Korea also rolled out a smartphone app that can track the quarantined and collect data on symptoms, so scientists are able to see more epidemiological data.[141]
Comparing cumulative numbers of confirmed cases in selected countries, including the Czech Republic, shows the different curves of the epidemic in different countries.[142] [143] The chart shows the number of known cases and the pace at which the number increases on a logarithmic scale. The actual number of people infected may be and likely is, significantly higher, as only cases where the virus was confirmed by laboratory testing are shown. Many cases may only have an asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic course of the disease and never seek treatment. In yet others, the infection may still be in the incubation period, when it is asymptomatic and may not yet be detectable even by testing.[144]
}
COVID-19 Epidemic curve selected countries per 1M pop. (Linear scale / from the 100th case)
Czech restriction actions:/ Day 0: Schools closed / Day 2: State of Emergency: close of sport facilities & close restaurants & bars at 8pm, border control, travel restrictions, ban 30+ events /Day 3: Criminalize spreading virus on purpose/Day 4: Complete closure all shops restaurants & bars excl. food shops, petrol, pharmacies/Day 5: Nationwide quarantine excl. shopping, employment need/ Day 6: Borders closed&closure municipalities in Olomouc region/ Day 8: Mandatory nose&mouth cover/ Day 9: Special 7–9 shop-opening hours for seniors/ Day 10: Changed special 8–10 shop-opening hours for seniors.
Czech eased restriction actions:/Day 20: Lifted closure municipalities in Olomouc region/ Day 27: Ease movement rule in parks & nature without face mask and opening some outside sporting grounds/ Day 35: Eased conditions of entry to the territory of the Czech Republic/Day 40: reopening farmers markets & small stores
Detailed information was reported regarding most of the first 99 cases, up to 12 March 2020:
| Case no. | Date announced | Status | Origin type | Origin | Location | Treatment facility | Sex | Age | Nationality | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City | Region | |||||||||
| 1 | 1 March 2020 | , Udine | Prague | Prague | Male | 67 | ||||
| A Czech man born in 1952 had attended a conference in Udine, Italy. He contacted Czech authorities on 26 February. After returning from Italy he had stayed in home quarantine and it was found one of his Italian colleagues was confirmed COVID-19 positive. After his condition worsened he went to the Infection Clinic at Bulovka Hospital. The test proved to be positive on 1 March. He is a teacher at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague.[145] The patient moved from Bulovka Hospital to home quarantine on 9 March 2020. | ||||||||||
| 2 | 1 March 2020 | , Milan | Prague | Prague | Female | ~20 | ||||
| A young woman from the US, born 1999, studying in Milan travelled to Prague through Vienna, Budapest and Brno. Feeling sick she visited the emergency room at Motol University Hospital where she was handled as potentially infectious and moved to Bulovka Hospital. | ||||||||||
| 3 | 1 March 2020 | , Auronzo di Cadore | Děčín | Ústí nad Labem Region | Male | ~43 | ||||
| A man born in 1976 from Děčín had been skiing with his family in Italy and after returning to the Czech Republic, his wife took him to a hospital in Ústí nad Labem on 29 February, he was positively tested and afterwards transferred from Masaryk Hospital, Ústí nad Labem to Bulovka Hospital in Prague. The rest of his family had no symptoms and remained in home quarantine pending further COVID-19 tests. The patient moved from Bulovka Hospital to home quarantine on 9 March 2020. | ||||||||||
| 4 | 2 March 2020 | , Auronzo di Cadore | Děčín | Ústí nad Labem Region | Female | 53 | ||||
| A Czech woman was holidaying in the Alps, staying in the same hotel as a positively tested Czech man (case #3). She arrived at Masaryk Hospital at Ústí nad Labem with symptoms on 1 March and she was staying in isolation there. Her husband and daughter also tested positive later (case No. 7 and #8). | ||||||||||
| 5 | 3 March 2020 | , Milan | Prague | Prague | Female | 21 | ||||
| A young woman from Ecuador travelled together with the American woman that proved to be infected on 1 March (case #2). Both study in Milan. Even though the initial test from 1 March was negative, the subsequent retest on 3 March was clearly positive. She was isolated at Bulovka Hospital together with another woman that travelled in the group with the American and Ecuadorian. The tests of the third woman have been negative so far. | ||||||||||
| 6[146] | 4 March 2020 | , Passo del Tonale[147] | Prague | Prague | Female | |||||
| A mother of two from Prague 6 developed symptoms after visiting Passo del Tonale in Trentino region in Italy. The woman was tested for coronavirus at an undisclosed private clinic. The positive result was unofficial, but in the afternoon it was confirmed by the Czech National Reference Laboratory. The woman was in quarantine at Bulovka Hospital and her family self-quarantined at home.[148] The patient moved from Bulovka Hospital to home quarantine on 9 March 2020. | ||||||||||
| 7[149] | 4 March 2020 | , Auronzo di Cadore | Děčín | Ústí nad Labem Region | Male | |||||
| The husband of the infected woman from Děčín (case #4). | ||||||||||
| 8 | 4 March 2020 | , Auronzo di Cadore | Děčín | Ústí nad Labem Region | Female | |||||
| A daughter of the infected woman from Děčín (case #4). | ||||||||||
| 9 | 5 March 2020 | , Passo del Tonale | Prague | Prague | Male | 45 | ||||
| A doctor from Prague who returned from Italy by the end of February. With mild symptoms he continued to examine his patients for two more days. The patient moved from Bulovka Hospital to home quarantine on 9 March 2020. | ||||||||||
| 10 | 5 March 2020 | Prague | Prague | Male | 45 | |||||
| An Italian citizen who arrived in Prague by end of February. The patient moved from Bulovka Hospital to home quarantine on 9 March 2020. | ||||||||||
| 11 | 5 March 2020 | household | Děčín | Ústí nad Labem Region | Female | ~66 | ||||
| A woman, born 1953, caught the coronavirus from her son (case #3). This is the first recorded person-to-person COVID-19 transmission in the Czech Republic.[150] | ||||||||||
| 12 | 5 March 2020 | , Passo del Tonale | Prague | Prague | Male | |||||
| A husband of the infected woman from Prague 6 (case #6). The patient moved from Bulovka Hospital to home quarantine on 9 March 2020. | ||||||||||
| 13 | 6 March 2020 | ~1 | ||||||||
| An infant staying at home quarantine.[151] | ||||||||||
| 14 | 6 March 2020 | Male | ||||||||
| A person who either came from Italy or was in contact with of one of the cases who returned from Italy, no details provided.[152] | ||||||||||
| 15 | 6 March 2020 | , Boston | Female | |||||||
| A woman who attended a Biogen employee conference at Boston, where COVID-19 was confirmed.[153] | ||||||||||
| 16 | 6 March 2020 | |||||||||
| A person who either came from Italy or was in contact with of one of the cases who returned from Italy, no details provided. | ||||||||||
| 17 | 6 March 2020 | , Auronzo di Cadore | Děčín | Ústí nad Labem Region | Female | 12 | ||||
| The eldest daughter of the infected man from Děčín (case #3).[154] | ||||||||||
| 18 | 6 March 2020 | , Auronzo di Cadore | Děčín | Ústí nad Labem Region | Female | 50 | ||||
| A woman who was travelling in the same car as the infected man from Děčín (case #3). | ||||||||||
| 19 | 6 March 2020 | , Lombardy | Ústí nad Labem Region | Female | ||||||
| A woman from Ústí nad Labem Region was skiing in Lombardy, Italy. She has no ties to any of the previous cases and is staying home at self-quarantine. | ||||||||||
| 20 | 7 March 2020 | known connection | Ústí nad Labem Region | Female | ||||||
| Sub-letting at the place of the case No. 19.[155] | ||||||||||
| 21 | 7 March 2020 | , Passo del Tonale | Male | |||||||
| Had been skiing in Passo del Tonale. | ||||||||||
| 22 | 7 March 2020 | , Boston | Male | |||||||
| A man who stayed in Boston. | ||||||||||
| 23 | 7 March 2020 | Male | ||||||||
| A married couple (#23, #24) who returned from Italy. | ||||||||||
| 24 | 7 March 2020 | Female | ||||||||
| A married couple (#23, #24) who returned from Italy. | ||||||||||
| 25 | 7 March 2020 | Male | ||||||||
| A married couple (#25, #26) who were in contact with an infected woman in Austria (this woman arrived from Boston). | ||||||||||
| 26 | 7 March 2020 | Female | ||||||||
| A married couple (#25, #26) who were in contact with an infected woman in Austria (this woman arrived from Boston). | ||||||||||
| 27 | 8 March 2020 | , Val Gardena | Prague | Prague | Male | |||||
| A married couple (#27, #28) who had been skiing in Val Gardena resort in Italy with a group of people who were tested posively in previous days.[156] | ||||||||||
| 28 | 8 March 2020 | , Val Gardena | Prague | Prague | Female | |||||
| A married couple (#27, #28) who had been skiing in Val Gardena resort in Italy with a group of people who were tested posively in previous days. | ||||||||||
| 29 | 8 March 2020 | , Auronzo di Cadore | Litoměřice | Ústí nad Labem Region | Female | |||||
| Women (case No. 29, #30) from a group that visited Auronzo di Cadore ski resort in Italy.[157] | ||||||||||
| 30 | 8 March 2020 | , Auronzo di Cadore | Litoměřice | Ústí nad Labem Region | Female | |||||
| Women (case No. 29, #30) from a group that visited Auronzo di Cadore ski resort in Italy. | ||||||||||
| 31 | 8 March 2020 | family | Ústí nad Labem Region | Male | ||||||
| An elderly man, a relative of cases No. 29 and No. 30, who had not visited Italy.[158] | ||||||||||
| 32 | 8 March 2020 | known connection | Hradec Králové | Hradec Králové Region | Male | |||||
| A man tested at University Hospital Hradec Králové was in contact with a Prague coronavirus case—a person who had been infected in Boston (case No. 15 or #22). | ||||||||||
| 33 | 9 March 2020 | , Trentino | Rožnov pod Radhoštěm | Zlín Region | Female | ~42 | ||||
| A woman (*1978) who had been on a family holiday in Trentino, Italy. She had mild respiratory issues.[159] | ||||||||||
| 34 | 9 March 2020 | known connection | Prague | Prague | Male | ~12 | ||||
| A young man (*2008) has family ties on a case infected in Italy. He was diagnosed at Bulovka Hospital in Prague. | ||||||||||
| 35 | 9 March 2020 | , Trentino | Prague | Prague | Male | ~45 | ||||
| A man (*1975) who returned from Lombardy, Italy. He was diagnosed at Bulovka Hospital in Prague. | ||||||||||
| 36 | 9 March 2020 | known connection | Female | ~62 | ||||||
| A woman (*1958) with a connection to a group that was skiing in Val Gardena, Italy.[160] | ||||||||||
| 37 | 9 March 2020 | , Trentino | Central Bohemian Region | Male | ||||||
| A man from Central Bohemia who visited Trentino, Italy.[161] | ||||||||||
| 38 | 9 March 2020 | Prague | Prague | Prague | Male | 40–45 | ||||
| A Prague Uber driver with no travel history and no known connection to other cases; however, German nationals he was in contact with are investigated. It is the first community spread case in the Czech Republic.[162] [163] | ||||||||||
| 39 | 10 March 2020 | workplace | Central Bohemian Region | Female | ~61 | |||||
| A woman (*1959) from Central Bohemia contracted the virus at work where she had been in contact with a woman infected at Val Gardena ski resort in Italy.[164] | ||||||||||
| 40 | 10 March 2020 | , Sexten | Ústí nad Labem Region | Male | ~54 | |||||
| A man (*1966) returned from skiing in Sexten, Italy.[165] | ||||||||||
| 41 | 10 March 2020 | Prostějov | Olomouc Region | Male | ~55 | |||||
| An employee of Japanese origin of company Toray Textiles Central Europe in Prostějov. The patient returned from Germany with high fever. After spending initial week in home isolation, the patient's state worsened significantly which led to his relocation to infectious ward of the Prostějov Hospital. The patient developed serious pneumonia. Doctors put him into complete isolation and on antibiotics treatment. His state became better after about a week before being finally cleared after two consecutive negative tests on 23 March 2020.[166] [167] | ||||||||||
| 42 | 10 March 2020 | Pardubice Region | Male | |||||||
| Elderly man was skiing in Bad Gastein.[168] | ||||||||||
| 43 | 10 March 2020 | Prague | Prague | Female | ||||||
| Student of VŠE in Prague.[169] | ||||||||||
| 44 | 10 March 2020 | Prague | Prague | Male | Child | |||||
| Student of Norbertov elementary school in Prague 6. | ||||||||||
| 45 | 10 March 2020 | Litovel | Olomouc Region | Male | ||||||
| Husband of an infected woman (Case # 46). Both were skiing in Italy.[170] | ||||||||||
| 46 | 10 March 2020 | Litovel | Olomouc Region | Female | ||||||
| Wife of an infected man (Case # 45). Both were skiing in Italy. | ||||||||||
| 47–63 | 10 March 2020 | |||||||||
| No details yet. | ||||||||||
| 64 | 11 March 2020 | , Livigno | Plzeň Region | Female | ||||||
| A woman returning from Livigno.[171] | ||||||||||
| 65 | 11 March 2020 | , Trentino | Zlín Region | Male | ||||||
| A man was skiing in Trentino.[172] | ||||||||||
| 66 | 11 March 2020 | , Dolomites | Brno | South Moravian Region | Male | |||||
| A Man(#66) and a woman(#67) from Brno returned from a skiing holiday in the Dolomites. | ||||||||||
| 67 | 11 March 2020 | , Dolomites | Brno | South Moravian Region | Female | |||||
| A Man(#66) and a woman(#67) from Brno returned from a skiing holiday in the Dolomites. | ||||||||||
| 68 | 11 March 2020 | Brno, household | Brno | South Moravian Region | Female | 84 | ||||
| A Czech woman who was in touch with her daughter who returned from Italy.[173] | ||||||||||
| 69–94 | 11 March 2020 | |||||||||
| Information not provided.[174] | ||||||||||
| 95 | 12 March 2020 | South Bohemian Region | Male | 45–50 | ||||||
| A middle-aged man who works in Germany noticed symptoms after returning from Germany. Mild condition.[175] | ||||||||||
| 96 | 12 March 2020 | Liberec Region | Female | 59 | ||||||
| The first case in Liberec Region is a 59-year-old woman who was skiing in Italy. She had symptoms and stayed home after she told her employer, she moved to hospital on 10 March. Reportedly in mild condition. | ||||||||||
| 97 | 12 March 2020 | Karlovy Vary Region | Male | 65+ | ||||||
| The first case in Karlovy Vary Region is a man over 65 years old who was skiing in Italy. Mild condition. | ||||||||||
| 98 | 12 March 2020 | Prague | Litomyšl | Pardubice Region | Female | 30 | ||||
| The second case in Pardubice Region is a woman from Litomyšl that was infected in Prague. She works in administrative and was in contact with another case, which is why she was tested. Even though she had no symptoms, regional epidemiologist said she would be transferred to Pardubice Hospital. | ||||||||||
| 99 | 12 March 2020 | Frýdek-Místek | Frýdek-Místek | Moravian-Silesian Region | Female | |||||
| A nurse from hospital in Frýdek-Místek with no travel history and no known relation to other cases.[176] | ||||||||||
| Type of Measure | Specific | Details | Date enacted | In force | Note | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft measures | Travel restrictions (before border closure) | Suspension of issuing of new visas in China. | 30 January 2020 | Indefinitely. Revoked on 21 April 2020. | Visas issued prior remained valid. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 5503/2020-2/PRO[177] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 16518/2020-1/MIN/KAN[178] |
| Suspension of direct flights to/from China. | 8 February 2020 | From 9 February onwards (indefinitely). Revoked on 21 April 2020. | Ten direct flights a week, all of them cancelled. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 4618/2020-1/MIN/KAN[179] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 4618/2020-2/MIN/KAN (revocation)[180] | ||
| Suspension of direct flights to/from selected regions of Italy. | 2 March 2020 | From 5 March 2020 until 19 March 2020. | All direct flights to/from Italian regions Emillia-Romagna, Piemont, Lombardia, Venetia suspended. Around 100,000–110,000 Czechs visited Northern Italy over the previous month (mostly for skiing holidays). | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 5503/2020-6/PRO[181] | ||
| Suspension of direct flights to/from South Korea. | 2 March 2020 | From 5 March 2020 onwards (indefinitely). Revoked on 24 March 2020. | All direct flights to/from South Korea suspended. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 5503/2020-5/PRO[182] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 5503/2020-15/PRO (revocation)[183] | ||
| Suspension of issuing of new visas in Iran. | 7 March 2020 | From 7 March onwards (indefinitely). Revoked on 21 April 2020. | Applies to all applicants requesting visas in Iran (notwithstanding nationality). | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 10384/2020-1/MIN/KAN[184] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 10384/2020-2/MIN/KAN (revocation)[185] | ||
| Random medical checks at major border crossings | 7 March 2020 | From 9 March 7 am onwards (indefinitely). | Major border crossings (Rozvadov, Folmava, Železná ruda, Dolní Dvořiště, Strážný, Mikulov, Hatě, Břeclav, Cínovec, and Pomezí) staffed by a combination of police, customs, and fire service personnel. Drivers provided with informational leaflets in Czech, English, German and Italian. Random temperature checks of vehicle occupants. Similar measures put in place at all international airports as well as in cross-border trains. People with symptoms can either turn back at the border or be transported by a HAZMAT ambulance for medical examination at the nearest hospital. Army deployed on 10 March (see below). | Government[186] [187] | ||
| Restrictions on sale of medical means | FFP3 respirators sale ban FFP3 respirators may be sold only to:
| 3 March 2020 | From 4 March onwards (indefinitely) Revoked on 6 April 2020 | The FFP3 respirators sale ban was preceded by a memo from Security Information Service to the Government, according to which Chinese embassy in Prague was conducting massive purchases of respirators available on Czech market during January and February and transferring them to China. This led to shortage of FFP3 respirators for use by healthcare providers which lasted for weeks after the ban was passed. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 5503/2020-8/PRO[188] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 5503/2020-12/PRO[189] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15190/2020-1/MIN/KAN[190] (revocation) | |
| Hand sanitizers export ban. | 5 March 2020 | From 5 March onwards (indefinitely). Revoked on 21 April 2020. | Ban on export of hand sanitizers listed in Annex 1, Category 1 of EU Regulation No. 528/2012 (with exemption of small amounts for personal use). | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 5503/2020-9/PRO[191] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 16771/2020-2/MIN/KAN (revocation)[192] | ||
| Ban on export of medication | 17 March 2020 | From 17 March onwards (indefinitely). | 17 March – 1 April 2020 – general ban on export of medication. From 1 April onwards – ban on export of selected medication. Ban only on export of medication destined for the Czech market. Medication manufactured directly to foreign order may still be exported. | Government Regulation No. 104/2020 Coll. (until 1 April)[193] Government Regulation No. 146/2020. Coll (after 1 April)[194] | ||
| Duty to report gatherings over 5,000 people. | Organisers must inform health authorities about all planned gatherings where they expect 5,000 or more visitors during a single day | 4 March 2020 | From 4 March onwards (indefinitely). Revoked on 17 April | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 9826/2020-1/HES[195] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 9826/2020-2/MIN/KAN (revocation)[196] | ||
| Quarantine | Spectators banned from attending the World Biathlon Cup Championship race in Nové Město na Moravě. | Championship can take place, but no spectators allowed. | 2 March 2020 | From 5 March 2020 to 8 March 2020. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 5503/2020-7/PRO | |
| Residents returning from abroad ordered to self-quarantine for 14 days. | All residents of the Czech Republic (citizens and non-citizens), as well as other persons working in the Czech Republic who return to the country from Italy, are ordered to contact their general practitioner by phone or email and self-quarantine for 14 days. Exemptions: (1) truck drivers that use FFP2 or FFP3 respirators while out of the vehicle in Italy, (2) ambulance crews under specific conditions and (3) pilots that did not leave their aeroplane while in Italy. | 7 March 2020 | From 7 March onwards (indefinitely). Replaced by other measures (see below). Formally revoked on 17 April 2020. | Measure replaced a similar one that was issued a day earlier, which did not include any exemptions. Up to CZK 3 million fine for breach of self-quarantine. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 10381/2020-1/MIN/KAN Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 10381/2020-2/MIN/KAN (revocation)[197] | |
| Anyone who visited one of the selected countries over the past 14 days subject to mandatory self-quarantine of 14 days. List of countries may be updated daily. Anyone crossing borders into the Czech Republic must allow authorities to perform a medical check. | 10 March 2020 | From 10 March onwards (indefinitely). | Up to CZK 3 million (about €120,000) fine for breach of self-quarantine. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 10653/201-1/MIN/KAN[198] | ||
| All residents of the Czech Republic (citizens and non-citizens) who return from selected countries. List of selected countries subject to daily updates, as of the day of measure adoption they are: China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, and France. Freight drivers exempted and recommended to "limit contact with locals as far as feasible". | 13 March 2020 | From 13 March onwards (indefinitely). Replaced from 14 April onwards. | Exemptions:
Up to CZK 3 million (about €120,000) fine for breach of self-quarantine. | Government Resolution No. 209/2020 Coll.[199] Ministry of Interior Notice on Exemptions from travel restrictions during the State of Emergency[200] | ||
| Anyone entering the Czech Republic has duty to contact health authority and may be subject to mandatory 14 days' quarantine (with exemptions). | 6 April 2020 | From 14 April until the end of the State of Emergency. Extended on 15 May (indefinitely). | Exemptions – see referenced Government Resolution. Significant change in rules from 27 April onwards—see border restrictions below. | Government Resolution No. 387 published as No. 150/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 443 published as No. 193/2020 Coll. (revocation) Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 20599/2020-1/MIN/KAN[201] | ||
| Contact tracing | 7 March 2020 | From 8 March onwards (indefinitely). | Authorities actively seek all people who were in contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients. Those are then ordered to mandatory 14 days' preventive self-quarantine. They also get tested for COVID-19, typically after 5 days. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 10386/2020-1/MIN/KAN[202] | ||
| 19 March 2020 | From 19 March onwards (indefinitely). | Mobile phone operators and banks obliged to provide geolocation data to health authority, if so requested. Data must be provided subject to following conditions (cumulative):
Geolocation data is used to draft a map of COVID-19 person's movement in previous days. This map is then presented to the person to help them remember who they were in contact with, where and when. Identified contacts are then put into 14 days' quarantine and tested for COVID-19 after 5 days. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12398/2020-1/MIN/KAN | |||
| Soldiers deployed to reinforce health authority. | 30 March 2020 | From 30 March 2020 onwards (indefinitely). | 300 soldiers (mainly paramedics and students of Military University of Medicine) deployed to reinforce health authority for the purpose of tracing contacts of COVID-19 positive patients and for collecting their samples. | Government Resolution No. 333 published as No. 141/2020 Coll. | ||
| Special requirements for release from preventive quarantine. | 9 April 2020 | From 16 April 2020 onwards (indefinitely). | People who were put into quarantine due to previous contact with COVID-19 positive person may be released from quarantine only if (cumulatively):
| Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15757/2020-6/MIN/KAN[203] | ||
| Hospital visits ban. | Ban on visits in hospitals and similar facilities. Exemptions for visits to patients who are (1) minors, (2) legally incapacitated, (3) pregnant or (4) terminally ill. | 9 March 2020 | From 10 March onwards (indefinitely). | Exemptions for visits to patients who are (1) minors, (2) legally incapacitated, (3) pregnant or (4) terminally ill. Scope of exemptions extended on from 16 April onwards: presence of father during child delivery explicitly allowed. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 10519/2020-1/MIN/KAN[204] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 16214/2020-1/MIN/KAN[205] | |
| Public gatherings banned. | Gatherings of 100 or more people banned. | 10 March 2020 | From 10 March 6 pm onwards (indefinitely). Replaced by other measures (see below). Formally revoked on 17 April 2020. | Ban on private and public gatherings of 100 or more people, including theatres, music events, cinemas, sports, etc. Exemptions for (1) legislature, (2) executive government, (3) courts and (4) public or private assemblies mandated by law (e.g. shareholder meetings) | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 10666/2020-1/MIN/KAN[206] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No.MZDR 10666/2020-2/MIN/KAN (revocation)[207] | |
| Gatherings of 30 or more people banned. | 12 March 2020 | From 13 March 6 pm onwards (indefinitely). Revoked from 16 March onwards (replaced by nationwide curfew, see below). | Ban on any private and public gatherings of 30 or more people. Exemptions for (1) legislature, (2) executive government, (3) courts, (4) public assemblies mandated by law and (5) funerals. | Government Resolution No. 199/2020 Coll.[208] | ||
| 23 March 2020 | From 23 March until 1 April. Extended until 11 April. Extended until end of State of Emergency. Invalidated from 27 April onwards. | Ban on any gathering at the publicly accessible place of more than 2 people. Exemptions for (1) members of same household, (2) exercise of profession and (3) funerals as long as a distance of 2 metres between people is kept. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12745/2020-1/MIN/KAN Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12745/2020-4/MIN/KAN[209] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15190/2020-5/MIN/KAN[210] Judgement of the Municipal Court in Prague No. 14 A 41/2020 from 23 April 2020[211] | |||
| Gatherings of more than 10 people banned. | 23 April 2020 | From 24 April until the end of State of Emergency. | Ban on any gathering at the publicly accessible place of more than 10 people. Exemptions for (1) members of same household, (2) exercise of profession, (3) funerals as long as a distance of 2 metres between people is kept, (4) church services up to 15 persons. Special requirements for training of professional athletes, weddings, church services, etc. Exemptions extended from 11 May onwards:
| Government Resolution No. 452 published as No. 194/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 490 published as 223/2000 Coll.[212] | ||
| 15 May 2020 | From 18 May until 25 May. | Ban on any gathering at the publicly accessible place of more than 10 people with exemptions (family members, exercise of profession, etc.). Ban on public events (sport, culture, wedding, praying, etc.) with more than 100 people. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 20588/2020-1/MIN/KAN[213] | |||
| Gatherings of 300 or more people banned. | 19 May 2020 | From 25 May onwards (indefinitely). | Ban on any private gathering/public event (sport, cultural, wedding, prayer, etc.) of 300 or more people. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 20588/2020-2/MIN/KAN[214] | ||
| All pupils and students banned from personally attending classes (including university lectures). Staff may continue to work and assign homework for students. Kindergartens and creches are open/closed subject to decision of local municipal authorities. | 10 March 2020 | From 11 March onwards (indefinitely). | From 13 March onwards ban extended to include also extracurricular and after school activities. From 20 April onwards students may attend university exams with max. 5 persons present, may also attend clinical education or practical laboratory education with max. 5 persons present. Exemption extended from 11 May onwards:
– All of that only after student/parent signs a sworn statement that the student is without clinical symptoms of COVID-19. Exemption extended from 25 May onwards:
| Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 10676/2020-1/MIN/KAN (11–13 March 2020) Government Resolution No. 201/2020 Coll. (from 13 March onwards)[215] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 16184/2020-1/MIN/KAN[216] Government Resolution No. 455 published as No. 197/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 456 published as No. 198/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 491 published as No. 220/2020 Coll. Ministry of Health Protections Measure No. MZDR 20584/2020-1/MIN/KAN[217] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 20584/2020-2/MIN/KAN[218] | ||
| Closure of services | Restaurants closed. | 12 March 2020 | From 13 March 8 pm onwards (indefinitely) / replaced on 14 March. | Restaurants may operate from 6 am to 8 pm. Home delivery possible 24/7. | Government Resolution No. 199/2020 Coll. | |
| 12 March 2020 | From 13 March 8 pm until 24 March 6 am. Extended to 1 April. Extended to 11 April. | Restaurants in shopping centres over 5,000 m2 in size closed. | Government Resolution No. 199/2020 Coll. (until 14 March) Government Resolution No. 211/2020 Coll. (after 14 March)[219] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 13361/2020-2/MIN/KAN | |||
| 14 March 2020 | From 14 March 6 am until 24 March 6 am. Extended to 1 April. Extended to 11 April. Replaced on 6 April (valid indefinitely) | From 11 May: Restaurants may serve patrons at their outdoors premises. From 25 May: Restaurants may operate from 6 AM to 23 PM (outdoor premises, take away windows and home delivery 24/7). | Government Resolution No. 211/2020 Coll. Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12746/2020-1/MIN/KAN[220] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 13361/2020-2/MIN/KAN Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15190/2020-3/MIN/KAN[221] Government Resolution No. 493 published as No. 224/2020 Coll. Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 20581/2020-1/MIN/KAN[222] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 20581/2020-2/MIN/KAN[223] | |||
| Marketplaces closed Ban on retail trade at marketplaces. | 13 March 2020 | From 14 March 6 am onwards (indefinitely). Partially revoked on 20 April 2020 (outdoors marketplaces can reopen). Revoked from 11 May onwards. | While having a general effect, the resolution also specifically names Little Hanoi. | Government Resolution No. 208/2020 Coll.[224] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 16193/2020-1/MIN/KAN Government Resolution No. 453 published as No. 195/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 493 published as No. 224/2020 Coll. | ||
(All retail may still conduct distance sales finalised through makeshift takeaway window or with delivery directly to customer [225]) | 14 March 2020 | From 14 March 6 am until 24 March 6 am. Extended to 1 April. Extended to 11 April. Replaced on 6 April (valid indefinitely) Replaced on 27 April until the end of State of Emergency Lifted from 11 May onwards. | Ban on presence of general public in establishments providing services and retail sale with following exemptions:
Scope of exemptions widened from 24 March onwards:
Scope of exemptions widened from 1 April onwards:
Scope of exemptions widened from 7 April onwards:
+ All opened shops and services must take active steps to
Scope of exemptions widened from 20 April onwards:
Scope of exemptions widened from 24 April onwards:
From 11 May onwards only selected services remain closed: indoors swimming pools and saunas, tours of indoors premises of castles and chateaus, hotel services for leisure purposes, services that are conducted by disruption of skin (e.g. tattooing). A large number of special measures required for opened services, see referenced Resolution No. 493. | Government Resolution No. 211/2020 Coll. Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12746/2020-1/MIN/KAN Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 13361/2020-2/MIN/KAN[226] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15190/2020-3/MIN/KAN Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 16193/2020-1/MIN/KAN[227] Government Resolution No. 454 published as No. 196/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 453 published as No. 195/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 493 published as No. 224/2020 Coll. Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 20581/2020-1/MIN/KAN | ||
| Casinos closed | 14 March 2020 | From 14 March onwards (indefinitely). | Government Resolution No. 211/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 453 published as No. 195/2020 Coll. | |||
| Prison visits ban. | Family members banned from visiting relatives in prisons and jails. Defense attorneys exempted from the ban. Individual exceptions may be granted by the Minister of Justice. From 15 May onwards: Only one visitor permitted per each visit. | 13 March 2020 | From 14 March onwards (indefinitely). | Government Resolution No. 204/2020 Coll.[228] Ministry of Healh Protection Measure No. MZDR 20598/2020-1/MIN/KAN[229] | ||
| Sporting venues closed | Public banned from entering sporting venues for 30 or more people, both indoor and outdoor. | 13 March 2020 | From 14 March 6 a.m. onwards (indefinitely). Replaced by general curfew from 16 March onwards. | Government Resolution No. 208/2020 Coll. | ||
| Welfare providers and retirement homes can accept new clients only after negative COVID-19 test. | This includes also clients that are moved from another institution (another retirement home). Until 25 May: Once accepted, the person must be placed at a separate room for 14 days. | 29 March 2020 | From 29 March onwards (indefinitely). | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 13742/2020-1/MIN/KAN Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 13742/2020-3/MIN/KAN Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 13742/2020-3/MIN/KAN | ||
| Regional quarantine | Quarantine of town of Litovel and 18 nearby municipalities including Uničov and Červenka. The quarantine zone covers about 24,000 people. A cluster of 25 patients identified on 16 March 2020. By 21 March 2020 there were 54 confirmed patients within the quarantine zone out of 62 total confirmed cases in Olomouc region. | 16 March 2020 | From 16 March onwards (indefinitely). Lifted on 30 March 2020 | People living and working within the quarantined area can go to work. People living within the area and working outside, and vice versa, must stay at home. Workers returning from night shifts in the area to homes outside of the area ordered into 14 days' self-quarantine. Police checkpoints on roads to the area. Only supply trucks, police, emergency, and fire rescue service can enter/leave town. Military field mini-hospital build in Litovel on 19 March.[230] | Local health authority.[231] | |
| Quarantine of municipality of Kynice, where a number of people were infected during the local volunteer fire department's ball. The municipality has a population of 95. | 16 March 2020 | From 16 March onwards (indefinitely). Lifted on 1 April 2020[232] | Same conditions as in other quarantined areas. | Local health authority.[233] | ||
| Social distancing measures | 15 March 2020 | From 16 to 24 March 6 am (Government Resolution) From 24 March 6 am to 1 April 6 am (Ministry of Health Protection Measure) Extended until 11 April. Extended until end of State of Emergency. Revoked from 24 April onwards. | Order for persons to
Exemptions:
Scope of exemptions widened from 7 April onwards:
Scope of exemptions widened from 20 April onwards:
Scope of exemptions widened from 27 April onwards (curfew revoked before this part entered into force):
| Government Resolution No. 215/2020 Coll. Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12745/2020-1/MIN/KAN[234] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12745/2020-4/MIN/KAN Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15190/2020-4/MIN/KAN Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15190/2020-5/MIN/KAN Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 16195/2020-1/MIN/KAN[235] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 16484/2020-1/MIN/KAN[236] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 17606/2020-1/MIN/KAN[237] | ||
| Public authorities' activity reduction | 12 March 2020 | 14 March to 1 April. Extended until 11 April. Extended until 19 April. | Public authorities restricted to perform only to necessary duties. Restrictions on duties requiring personal contact with the public. Restriction of office hours to 3 hours on Monday and Wednesday. Only the lowest possible number of employees to be present when necessary. Duty to implement rotations of employees in a way that prevents contact between selected groups. Partially revoked on 6 April 2020: resumes service. | Government Resolution No. 194/2000 (until 24 March) Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12745/2020-3/MIN/KAN (from 24 March onwards)[238] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12745/2020-5/MIN/KAN (from 1 April onwards)[239] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15190/2020-2/MIN/KAN (Czechpoint reopening)[240] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15757/2020-4/MIN/KAN[241] | ||
| 9 April 2020 | From 20 April onwards (indefinitely) Revoked on 15 May. | Public authorities open with special measures Public authorities instructed to prioritise email or telephone communication over physical meetings. Opening hours back to normal. Personal meetings either through barrier or if possible with 2 metres' distance. Obligation to ensure distance of 2 metres in hallways, waiting rooms, etc. Obligation to set up hand sanitizers in hallways. Obligation to frequently disinfect surfaces including door handles, elevator buttons, etc. Duty to implement rotations of employees in a way that prevents contact between selected groups. Duty to prioritise work from home where possible. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15757/2020-3/MIN/KAN[242] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15757/2020-15/MIN/KAN (revocation)[243] | |||
| 18 March 2020 | From 19 March until 30 March From 30 March onwards (indefinitely) | Ban on movement outside of the home without having mouth and nose covered by a respirator, face mask or similar. Exemptions from 30 March onwards:
Scope of exemptions widened on 7 April:
Scope of exemptions widened on 9 April:
Scope of exemptions widened on 30 April:
Scope of exemptions widened on 5 May:
Scope of exemptions widened on 12 May:
Scope of exemptions widened on 18 May:
From 25 May onwards face cover obligatory only at:
| Government resolution No. 247 (published as No. 106/2020 Coll.) (until 30 March)[244] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 13894/2020-1/MIN/KAN (after 30 March) Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15190/2020-4/MIN/KAN Ministry of Health Protection Measure No.MZDR 15757/2020-2/MIN/KAN[245] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15757/2020-10/MIN/KAN[246] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15757/2020-13/MIN/KAN[247] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15757/2020-14/MIN/KAN[248] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15757/2020-16/MIN/KAN[249] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 15757/2020-18/MIN/KAN[250] | |||
| Elderly only shopping time (65+) | 18 March 2020 | From 19 March onwards (indefinitely). | Only elderly (65+) can enter establishments (grocery shops, post offices and others that are still open) at the selected time. The timeframe for elderly changes periodically:
| Ministry of Health Resolution No. MZDR 12390/2020-1/MIN/KAN, replaced by MZDR 12501/2020-3/MIN/KAN,[251] replaced by Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12744/2020-2/MIN/KAN[252] | ||
| Local Assemblies limited | 23 March 2020 | From 24 March onwards (replaced from 7 April onwards). | Local assemblies only onlineMunicipal and regional assemblies shall convene only for necessary purposes (measures regarding COVID-19 or necessary to prevent other damages) and shall take place only online. Recommendation to broadcast online assemblies publicly on the internet. | Government Resolution No. 274 published as No. 122/2020 Coll.[253] | ||
| 6 April 2020 | From 7 April until the end of State of Emergency | Local assemblies subject to social distancingMunicipal and regional assemblies shall convene in a way that ensures distance of 2 metres between each individual. Everyone present must wear face cover. Recommendation to allow participation through means of distance communication. | Government Resolution No. 388 published as 151/2020 Coll. | |||
| Electronic data boxes use for free | 23 March 2020 | From 24 March onwards (until the end of State of Emergency). | "Electronic data boxes" is a secure means of online communication run by the Government that may be used for formal delivery of documents. Normally only communication with authorities is free while communication between private entities is subject to a fee. This fee was waived until the end of the State of Emergency. | Government Resolution No. 275/2000 Coll. | ||
| Hard measures | Vote number 11 of 47th meeting of Chamber of Deputies held on 28 April 2020[254] Government Resolution No. 485 published as No. 219/2020 Coll.[255] | |||||
| Border enforcement | Provisional enforcement of borders with Germany and Austria and limitations on international flights. Only selected border crossings remain open:
| 12 March 2020 | From 14 March 2020 onwards. | Czech Republic is a party to Schengen Treaty and does not normally enforce its border with other EU countries. | Government Resolution No. 197/2020 Coll.[256] | |
| BORDERS CLOSURE | . | 12 March 2020 | From 14 March onwards (indefinitely). Revoked from 11 May onwards. | Any road vehicle with a capacity of more than 9 people (incl. driver) banned from crossing borders with an exemption of (1) larger vehicles bringing Czech citizens or long-term/permanent residents to the Czech Republic, (2) larger vehicles taking foreigners out of the Czech Republic (exemption: empty buses, passenger trains, and ships may return to the Czech Republic). Crossborder passenger rail and passenger ship transport banned. Only Václav Havel Prague International Airport may be used for international flights. (Remained valid also after 11 May 2020). An individual exemption may be granted by the Minister of Transportation. | Government Resolution No. 200/2020 Coll.[257] Government Resolution No. 506 published as No. 225/2020 Coll.[258] | |
| Travel ban – selected countries | 12 March 2020 | From 14 March 2020 onwards (indefinitely). Effectively replaced by complete travel ban from 16 March onwards (see below). | Foreigners coming in from selected countries banned from entering the Czech Republic (foreigners with long-term or permanent residency permits exempted). Czech citizens and foreigners with long-term or permanent residency banned from entering selected countries. Suspension of processing of all visa applications (individual exceptions possible). List of selected countries subject to daily updates, as of the day of ban entry into force they were China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, and France. | Government Resolution No. 198/2020 Coll.[259] | ||
| 13 March 2020 | From 16 March onwards (ban of 13 March). From 31 March until 12 April 2020 (ban of 30 March). Extended until 13 April 2020 (ban of 6 April). | Exemptions:
| Government Resolution No. 203[260] & Ministry of Interior Notice on Exemptions from travel restrictions during the State of Emergency (until 30 March) Government Resolution No. 334 published as 142/2020 Coll.[261] (from 31 March) | ||
| 6 April 2020 | From 14 April until the end of State of Emergency Revoked on 27 April. | Exemptions:
Anyone coming into Czech Republic has duty to contact health authority and will be subject to mandatory 14 days' quarantine (with exemptions). | Government Resolution No. 387 published as No. 150/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 443 published as No. 193/2020 Coll. (revocation)[262] | ||
| RESTRICTIONS ON CROSS-BORDER MOVEMENT Restrictions on entry into the Czech Republic and obligatory quarantine for those who enter. | 23 April 2020 | From 27 April until the end of State of Emergency Extended on 15 May (indefinitely). | Foreigners without long-term residency may enter for purpose of:
+ Obligation to inform health authority about entering the Czech Republic (with exceptions, see referenced resolution) Czechs and foreigners with long-term residency must inform health authority immediately after entering the country unless they have COVID-19 negative test no older than 4 days (with exceptions, see referenced resolution). All who enter and who were not quaranteened by the health authority must undergo 14 days personal curfew under which they may move only to work and back, do essential shopping, visit healthcare providers, attend necessary administrative proceedings, attend funerals. | Government Resolution No. 443 published as No. 193/2020 Coll. (revocation) Government Resolution No. 495 published as No. 222/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 511 published as No. 226/2020 Coll. Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 20599/2020-1/MIN/KAN | ||
| Other measures | Army deployed at borders | Army units deployed to support border enforcement (see above). | 10 March 2020 | From 10 March 2020 onwards (indefinitely). | 2,100 Czech Army personnel ordered to full readiness. Army also used for distribution of medical equipment around country (respirators etc.). | Government decision[263] [264] |
| 15 March 2020 | From 15 March 2020 onwards (indefinitely). | 2,096 soldiers and 432 Customs officers deputised for police duty. Previously, they could serve only in support role. This allows a significantly lower number of police officers to be deployed at the borders and their redeployment back to standard policing duty. 9 April 2020: Number of deputised soldiers increased to 4,094. | Government Regulation No. 83/2020 coll.[265] Government Regulation No. 155/2020 Coll.[266] | |||
| Release of emergency funding | CZK 500 million released from Government Emergency Fund for emergency purchases of medical tools needed to fight COVID-19. | 13 March 2020 | Government Resolution No. 206/2020 Coll.[267] | |||
| Provision of welfare | 13 March 2020 | From 16 March onwards (indefinitely). Revoked from 11 May onwards. | Actual work of students subject to later call-up. At the same time welfare providers are ordered to provide welfare to recipients whose life or health may be in jeopardy (providers cannot refuse provision of welfare). Welfare provision aimed at persons that are not self-sufficient (elderly, disabled, etc.). | Government Resolution No. 207/2020[268] Government Resolution No. 512 published as No. 227/2020 Coll. (revocation) | ||
| Army deployed. | 14 April 2020 | From 14 April onwards (indefinitely). | 360 soldiers deployed to support provision of welfare, especially within retirement homes. Place of deployment of particular units dependent on requests from regional governments. | Government Regulation No. 172/2020 Coll.[269] | ||
| Obligatory testing of all employees. | 30 April 2020 | Between 4 and 17 May. | Providers of welfare in retirement homes and of elderly in their own homes must conduct COVID-19 antibodies rapid testing of every employee that is in direct contact with clients. Rapid testing kits provided by health authority. | Ministry of Health Extraordinary Measure No. MZDR 18636/2020-1/MIN/KAN[270] | ||
| Social and economical support measures | Trucks allowed to drive on Sundays | 13 March 2020 | From 13 March 2020 onwards (indefinitely). | Generally, freight trucks are banned from driving on Sundays to ease weekend return traffic. This long-standing ban was lifted to mitigate possible freight disruptions stemming from other measures or general COVID-19 impact. | Government Resolution No. 205/2020 Coll.[271] | |
| Income tax deadline extended Deadline for Income Tax submission moved by 3 months for natural persons (new date is 1 July) | 12 March 2020 | |||||
| Loans repayment delayed Banks will provide an option of delaying loan payments for people and small businesses affected by the coronavirus | 12 March 2020 | |||||
| Gun sales registration period waived. | 16 March 2020 | From 16 March until end of the curfew | Same as other retail, gun shops could continue distance sales finalised through makeshift takeaway window or by direct delivery to customer.[272] Purchased firearms must normally be physically presented to the police for registration within 10 days from the sale (see Gun laws in the Czech Republic). Firearm registrations deemed non-essential by the Ministry of Interior Explanatory Note, as part of the general suspension of non-essential visits to government offices. Gun licence holders instructed to merely inform police about a purchase by post or electronic communication and visit station for registration after the end of curfew. Also, exams required for new firearm licences suspended. New permits to purchase B-category firearms issued only remotely (by post or electronic communication). | Ministry of Interior Explanatory Note No. MV- 49249-2/OBP-2020[273] | ||
| Forestry short-term hiring | March 2020 | 2020 forestry season | Public company which manages public forests started massive short-term hiring of people from professions affected by quarantine measures. Temporary workers take part in restoration of spruce forests that suffered large scale damage by bark beetle and drought in previous years. Wage of CZK 120 per hour (ca €5 per hour), contracts for maximum of 300 hours per person. | [274] | ||
| Criminal sanctions | COVID-19 added to list of diseases the wilful spreading of which constitutes a felony. | 13 March 2020 | Up to 10 years imprisonment in case of criminal negligence. | Government Resolution No. 210/2020 Coll.[275] | ||
| Healthcare provision support measures | 14 March 2020 | "Drive-through" tents set up in front of designated hospitals around the country. Patients don't need to leave their cars to be tested. Testing is free for people with prescriptions by the health authorities. Prescriptions are granted remotely (phone and email) based on symptoms and travel history. People lacking prescriptions may pay for their own tests. Prices vary depending on the hospital from CZK 1,300–3,000 (€50–120). Some drive-through locations do not offer paid testing due to capacity limitations (i.e. they test only those with a prescription). | ||||
| COVID-19-only hospitals | 15 March 2020 | Two hospitals, in the capital and largest city of Prague, in the second-largest city of Brno, were designated to deal with COVID-19 only. Both cities have several other hospitals to take up the caseload of other conditions. Military BSL-4 reserve hospital at Biological Defense Center in Těchonín put into a state of readiness. | ||||
| 28 March 2020 | After COVID-19 infection spread in at least seven retirement homes, several hundred beds were set aside for quarantine and treatment of elderly with mild symptoms at:
| Ministry of Health decision[276] | ||||
| 15 March 2020 | From 16 March until the end of State of Emergency Revoked from 11 May onwards. | 5th- and 6th-year students of General Medicine compelled to work duty, actual work subject to later call-up. Last-year students of nursing, paramedics, and several other related fields compelled to work duty, actual work subject to later call-up. | Government Resolution No. 220 published as No. 90/2020 Coll.[277] Government Resolution No. 404 published as No. 158/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 512 published as No. 227/2020 Coll. (revocation) | |||
| Healthcare workers' holiday ban | 23 March 2020 | From 24 March until the end of State of Emergency Revoked on 10 April 2020. | Healthcare workers banned from taking a holiday (time off). | Government Resolution No. 278 published as 125/2020 Coll. Government Resolution No. 403 published as No. 157/2020 Coll. (revocation) | ||
| Remdesivir provisional approval | 17 March 2020 | From 17 March for a period of 9 months | Remdesivir, originally developed by Gilead Sciences for ebola treatment, was approved for experimental use for COVID-19 patients in serious condition. | Ministry of Health Decision No. MZDR 12059/2020-3/OLZP[278] | ||
| Plaquenil prescription restrictions | 23 March 2020 | From 23 March 8 pm onwards (indefinitely) | Hydroxychloroquine, sold under the brand name Plaquenil among others, is a medication used for the prevention and treatment of certain types of malaria. Plaquenil showed promise in some COVID-19 trials. Only doctors with selected specialisations can prescribe it under the measure. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12756/2020-2/MIN/KAN[279] (until 3 April) Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12756/2020-3/MIN/KAN[280] (after 3 April) | ||
| Hydroxychloroquine-sulfaat teva provisional approval | 7 April 2020 | From 7 April for period of 8 months | Provisional approval for COVID-19 treatment due to plaquenil shortage. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 13360/2020-3/OLZP[281] Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12756/2020-3/MIN/KAN (after 3 April) | ||
| Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate Sandoz provisional approval | 30 April 2020 | From 30 April for period of 8 months | Provisional approval of New Jersey, USA made hydroxochloroquine tablets in original English language package for COVID-19 treatment due to plaquenil shortage. | Ministry of Health Decision No. MZDR 18092/2020-2/OLZP[282] | ||
| Avigan (Favipiravir) provisional approval | 16 April 2020 | Japanese medicine that showed promise in initial trials for COVID-19 treatment. Provisional approval of 10,000 tablets. | Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 16312/2020-1/OLZP[283] | |||
| Hospitalised patients' information database | 24 March 2020 | From 24 March onwards (indefinitely) | Central database about COVID-19 hospitalised patients. Hospital providers ordered to:
| Ministry of Health Protection Measure No. MZDR 12996/2020-1/MIN/KAN[284] |
The COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic has created a wave of solidarity in a variety of areas, including: