The Ministry of Health has announced a further relaxation of the government’s anti-coronavirus measures: from next Monday, June 22nd, the maximum permitted capacity for public events will increase to 1,000, and nearly all shops, restaurants and cultural entities can return to normal operation. From July, facemasks will no longer be required indoors or on public transport, and bars and restaurants can stay open past 11pm. Photo credit: KK / Brno Daily.
Czech Rep., Jun 18 (BD) – Due to the favorable epidemiological situation, the Ministry of Health has announced further plans to relax the regulations brought in to fight the coronavirus. On Thursday morning, Health Minister Adam Vojtěch (ANO) announced that from July 1st, citizens will no longer have to wear facemasks indoors or on public transport, except for in areas with higher incidence of coronavirus infection, such as Prague and Karvina. Bars will also be allowed to stay open past 11pm, and visitors to cinemas will again be allowed to consume food and drink.
“If most regions remain without new cases on July 1st, there will be no need for these measures to apply throughout the whole country. From this date, wearing facemasks indoors or on public transport will only be required in regions with a higher incidence of Covid-19,” said Vojtěch. Should new clusters of infections be detected, the necessary measures will be reintroduced on a local level: “It is not necessary to restrict the whole of the Czech Republic when the situation is calm.” Chief Hygienist Jarmila Rážová added that the authorities will evaluate the situation continuously, and stay in close contact with regional hygiene authorities.
Restaurants and bars will again be able to stay open past 11pm from July, and cinema audiences will again be allowed to consume food and drinks during movies. Like the other measures, exceptions will apply in regions where the epidemic is less under control.
From Monday, The Permitted Capacity of Public Events Will Increase From 500 To 1,000
From Monday, June 22nd, the permitted capacity of public events will increase from 500 to 1,000. It will also be possible to designate up to five separate zones at the event, each with a capacity of 1,000. Trade fairs will also be allowed, with a capacity of up to 5,000 people at the same time. From September 1st, the number of zones allowed could increase to ten, increasing the total number of participants to 10,000.
Zones must have their own facilities so that people from different zones do not meet. According to epidemiologist Rastislav Maďar, the minimum distance between the zones will be four meters. In addition to their own sanitary facilities and refreshments, the zones should also ideally have their own car parks and dedicated public transport stops.
Shops, Restaurants and Cultural Entities Can Return To Normal Operation
From next Monday, children’s corners in shopping centers can reopen, and museums, galleries, castles, zoos and swimming pools can return to normal operation. The operation of low-temperature saunas and group spa treatments for up to 10 people can also resume.
Organizers of public events and operators of shops or restaurants will no longer have to ensure distances between customers, and instead rules will become voluntary, relying mostly on individual responsibility.
