Bolt will expand its fast grocery service to Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic by January after entering the booming business of couriering drinks and snacks to users earlier this year. Bolt’s founder Markus Villig raised $600 million from investors in August in a bid to reposition the ride-hailing startup as a “super-app” covering taxis, scooters, short-term car rentals, food delivery, and now fast commerce. The Tallinn, Estonia-based startup already ships groceries via couriers in seven European countries but will expand further into Eastern Europe and Scandinavia in 2022. In the Czech Republic, Bolt will face competition from local rivals like Rohlik, and Wolt, which was acquired by DoorDash for $8.1 billion in November. Villig says Bolt would be able to build out its grocery delivery network faster and more efficiently, thanks to the infrastructure it already had in place to support ride-hailing and electric scooter hire. “It is much easier for us to add new products on top of that platform rather than building that all out from scratch,” says Villig, CEO and cofounder of Bolt. “So that is why from the outside it looks like we are expanding to so many countries at such a rapid pace—we would...
The Biden Administration announced a new international air travel policy that is stringent, consistent across the globe, and guided by public health. Starting on December 6, before boarding a flight to the United States, air travelers aged two and older, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, are required to show documentation of a negative viral test result taken within one day of the flight’s departure. You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight. That includes all travelers – U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), and foreign nationals. Also, the mask requirement has been extended until March 18, 2022, for all flights, trains and buses in the US. Travel industry leaders say any restrictions should be placed on individual passengers — not entire countries. “We need to figure out how to balance not only the economy and the health concerns simultaneously, but we also need to think about making sure we still welcome international travelers here to the U.S.” Tori Emerson Barnes, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy, U.S. Travel Association, said. Right now, the U.S. has a travel ban on South Africa and several other southern African nations. But, officials say those bans are...
This year’s meteorological autumn in Prague’s Klementinum ranks among the ten percent warmest autumns in 247 years, according to monitoring conducted by the oldest Czech meteorological station. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) stated on their website that the average temperature from the beginning of September to the end of November was 11.6 degrees Celsius, which is 1.8 degrees higher than the long-term average noted from 1775 to 2014. November alone recorded a temperature average at 6.3 degrees Celsius this year. “This autumn, with its average temperature, ranked 14th to 16th out of 247 previous autumns since 1775, so it comfortably made up ten percent of the warmest autumns in 247 years. Only about five percent of autumns were warmer than this year,” meteorologists said. The warmest autumn recorded in Klementinum so far was in 2006 with an average temperature of 13.2 degrees. The coldest autumn was measured in 1786 with an average temperature of 5.8 degrees Celsius. In November this year, the average monthly temperature in Klementinum reached 6.3 degrees. The deviation from the so-called normal from 1981 to 2010 was 0.9 degrees and compared to the long-term average of 1775 to 2014 when it was 1.9 degrees higher. This...
The future government said it will immediately cancel the current health ministry’s measures for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination from March 2022 for people over 60 and doctors, nurses and police officers as soon as it assumes power. It said it would do so immediately after it assumes power. “The future health minister will cancel this order, we do not agree with that,” said Marian Jurečka, leader of KDU-ČSL party (EPP) that is expected to be part of the future governing coalition. According to Jurečka, the current caretaker government has not used all the available tools to motivate people to get vaccinated. “We will not impose mandatory vaccination for specific age groups. Regarding certain professions, we want to hear from representatives of the unions,” Jurečka told Czech Television. The future government is worried that police officers, healthcare professionals and other crucial workers would quit their job rather than get vaccinated. Still, the caretaker government is convinced that such a step is necessary in the current situation. According to the current Social Affairs Minister Jana Maláčová, the plan of the future government to cancel the mandatory vaccination order is “boundless populism”. “In social services, vaccination against hepatitis is mandatory, but against COVID, it...
The unexpected move to close Christmas markets just as most were about to open has sparked a very negative reaction. However, there are still places around the city where you can, not only have legally a mulled wine or grog, but also enjoy an authentic Christmas atmosphere. For example, markets are still operating on Wenceslas Square under the horse. The Prague 1 office authorized them as a “cultural event”, said Petr Bidlo, a spokesman for the city district, adding that “according to the organizers, all necessary anti-epidemic measures are observed”. Being a cultural event is not covered by government regulations. The Manifesto Market at Prague’s Anděl is shrouded in light and welcomes visitors with open arms. “We officially operate as a restaurant with a bar, we are covered, so we are not a market, but a restaurant,” project manager Lisa Ljubčič told a local Czech source, adding that the staff wears respirators and on every corner disinfection is available. “We tried to re-create a Christmas atmosphere here, the decoration were made by our architect Sara Gómez. We sell Christmas trees, excellent mulled wine and other cocktails,” adds the manager. Another beautiful place is Lucerna’s rooftop at Wenceslas Square. You not only...
From investment opportunities for crypto-owners to actual art galleries, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have taken the world by storm in the past two years.
Of all the continents, Europe is now the hardest hit by the coronavirus. The highest number of newly confirmed cases per capita is reported by Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Belgium. But the Czech Republic leads to another unfortunate statistic related to the number of infected children. According to data, the Czech Republic has detected almost 3,000 new positive tests per 100,000 individuals at children under the age of 15 in the last two weeks. The number is also high in Slovenia (2,810) and Austria (2,706). The high frequency of testing detects many new cases in children. The Czech Republic is currently the sixth country in the European Union which carries out the most Covid-19 tests. Czech children undergo coronavirus tests in schools on a regular basis. Currently, Covid-19 is most widespread in countries with low vaccination rates. In the most affected country, Slovakia, 43 percent of the population has completed vaccination. In the Czech Republic, which is currently the second country with the highest number of new infections, the vaccination rate is almost 60 percent. The country currently vaccinates children aged 12 to 15. Vaccination registrations for children aged 5 to 11 are due to start in the country in...
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. The Czech Interior Ministry has created a Facebook account (@vnitro_cz) to get closer to citizens and to raise public awareness of ongoing political events. According to recent data, the Czech Republic has detected almost 3,000 new positive tests per 100,000 individuals at children under the age of 15 in the last two weeks. This is the highest rate in EU. The future Czech government wants to speed up the country’s energy transition and phase out coal earlier. “It would be the best success to do it by 2030, 2033 at the latest,” environment minister candidate Anna Hubáčkova (KDU-ČSL, EPP) said. Tomio Okamura has been re-elected chairman of the Freedom and Direct Democracy party. He received the backing of 84 out of 85 delegates at a congress in Prague. The Czech Vaccinology Society opposes the mandatory COVID vaccination of people over 60 years of age that the outgoing government wants to push through, but in contrast, it backs the compulsory inoculation for selected professions.
The validity of Covid-19 vaccination certificates in the Czech Republic will shorten to nine months from 2022, Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch announced. Those vaccinated with two doses will thus need a booster shot. “We are shortening the validity of vaccination certificates to nine months with effect from January 1 next year,” said Vojtěch. The Czech Republic thus follows the recommendations of the European Commission, which proposed this shortening at the end of November. According to Vojtěch, if people get a booster dose, the validity of the certificates will be indefinite for the time being. Previously, the vaccination certificate in the Czech Covid-19 app was valid until 2025, but after an update, this date disappeared. People older than 65 and chronically ill patients can now get a booster dose as soon as after five months. For others, a six-month period applies. If they fail to get another dose nine months after their last shot, their certificate will be invalid. People who have received the one-dose J&J vaccine will be alerted to getting revaccinated after only two months. Approximately 6.4 million people in the Czech Republic have completed their Covid-19 vaccination. Another 940,000 people have already received booster doses, which restore the...
On Advent Sundays, you can meet processions of angels in the streets of the city center. The main program will be from December 5 till December 19 when people will be able to meet artists, actors and jugglers in the Prague city centre. A seven-meter puppet of an angel will be accompanied by acrobats wandering through the center of Prague. The symbol of Christmas, hope, safety, and protection will greet the inhabitants of Prague on the Old Town Square and its neighborhood. “We are happy we have managed to find a safe alternative to start the Advent. The majority of pre-Christmas cultural events had to be canceled and we liked the idea of angels in the streets,” said Hana Třeštíková, the councilor for culture. “The Advent time in the capital will be spiced up with some special performances and installations that will take place at various venues,” says Jakub Vedral, the producer, and invites the viewers to the first winter festival of street theatre. Whereas the summer edition of Za dveřmi has a twelve-year tradition, it has not taken place in winter so far. “Organizing the festival of street theatre in the month when it freezes is quite a challenge for...
Taiko will be dismantling the Christmas market stalls in Prague’s Old Town Square within the next week. Authorities will start dismantling the stalls on Monday at about noon. First, the workers will remove the holiday decorations, then the roofs of the wooden houses. Thus, only the Christmas tree will remain on the square until January 6, 2022. In the upper part of Wenceslas Square, Christmas markets continue despite the government ban. The Prague 1 office authorized them as a “cultural event”, said Petr Bidlo, a spokesman for the city district, adding that “according to the organizers, all necessary anti-epidemic measures were observed”. According to the organizers, drinks and food are served only for take away and the staff warns visitors that they should not consume them on the spot. The capital is now calling on the government to urgently compensate the market operators and stallholders who have already purchased supplies and do not have the means to dismantle their stalls. Although the City of Prague is also discussing ways to help those who have been affected, it cannot take concrete actions until the government makes a decision on compensation. On November 25, the government declared a 30-day state of emergency,...
The outgoing Czech government is planning to order a vaccine mandate for people aged 60 and over and for some professional groups, Health Minister Adam Vojtech said on Friday. But it’s unclear whether the measure will be enforced by his successor. Vojtech said his ministry will issue the order next week making vaccination mandatory for the 60 plus age group, as well as medical personnel, police officers, firefighters and medical students. The order would be meant to become effective in March – but it might not work out like that. Prime Minister Andrej Babis’ current administration will be soon replaced by a new government formed by five parties that won October´s parliamentary election, led by Prime Minister designate Petr Fiala. The new government is expected to formally assume its responsibilities later this month. The coalition, and its designated health minister, Vlastimil Valek, oppose a vaccination mandate for the elderly and can cancel it as soon as it takes power. So far, only 59.6% of Czechs have been fully vaccinated. According to the latest poll released on Friday, almost 20% of Czechs are against vaccination. The infection rate was 1,135 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days on...
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