5 Things First: The Top Czech News Headlines

If your day doesn’t start until you’re up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to our new morning fix. 

• President Miloš Zeman has offered Poland assistance in dealing with the migrant crisis on the country’s border with Belarus. Poland has massed troops along the border, to keep migrants camped there from crossing into the country.

• The Czech Republic may make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for people over the age of 60 as well as for some professions including health and social care workers, under plans now being drawn up.

   

• Veterinary workers have started culling birds at a commercial poultry farm in South Bohemia, where the bird flu was detected last week. Close to 5,000 birds may have to be put down.

• Police Chief Jan Švejdar warned on Tuesday against introducing mandatory vaccinations for selected professions.
  He said that the police could lose 10,000 people who have refused vaccination so far.

• Czech scientist Peter Šeba from the Academic of Science has launched an online petition for mandatory vaccination. After a few days, it gained around 2,500 signatures and sparked a debate about this sensitive issue.