In an effort to avoid new closures, the government has approved measures requiring the use of respirators in public places, and has decided that restaurants must check if customers have a negative test or have been vaccinated against Covid-19. The rules will come into effect on October 25th. Credit: Vlada.cz.
Czech Rep, Oct 21 (BD) – The government yesterday approved stricter measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, in response to the latest Health Ministry data, which indicates that case numbers are rising.
“We are seeing a significant increase in the number of infected people. However, we do not want to close shops or services again, so we must introduce a regime of anti-Covid measures. We are going back to the situation in spring, when respirators were mandatory within work teams, where this obligation is now lacking,” said Health Minister Adam Vojtech.
From October 25th, the use of respirators will be mandatory inside restaurants, pubs, and other public places, regardless of the number of customers. Previously the law imposed the obligation to wear respirators from 10 people upwards. The requirement will also again apply to workplaces, except when workers are alone in the office.
Furthermore, from November 1st the validity of PCR tests will decrease from 7 to 3 days, and for antigen tests from 72 hours to 24 hours. In restaurants, clubs, discos and clubs, staff will have to check that customers have a negative test, have been vaccinated, or have recently recovered from Covid-19.
However, the government has decided that free tests will be granted only to certain categories: those under the age of 18, those vaccinated with the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and those who cannot be vaccinated due to contraindications.
