Czech Republic and Slovakia to Fully Reopen Mutual Border From Midnight

The Czech Republic and Slovakia will fully restore free movement between the two countries from midnight, the two countries’ prime ministers said on Wednesday.

The announcement was made as Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic arrived in Prague for his first foreign trip and met his Czech counterpart Andrej Babis, news agency CTK reported.

Until now, Czech citizens could travel to their eastern neighbor without a test only if they stayed no longer than 48 hours in the country, with entrance into both states only allowed at designated border crossings.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic will begin opening its international borders on June 15 with a unique system.

The Czech government created a color-coded system to classify countries and their travel policies based on coronavirus risk ranging green, orange, and red tiers. Citizens of the countries deemed the lowest risk — green — will be able to travel without restriction (and vice versa for Czech citizens to cross into their borders). Orange countries must produce a negative COVID-19 test for entry into the Czech Republic, although the Czech can enter their countries without hassle.

The riskiest countries classified under red. which include Sweden and Britain, will require both their citizens and Czech citizens who return from trips there to present a negative COVID-19 test at the border.

There are 19 approved green European countries where travel will be unrestricted, including Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Greece, Cyprus, Switzerland, the Baltic states, Finland, Norway, and Iceland.

However, it is important to realize that the map only indicates the states from which Czechs can return without subsequent restrictions. For example, it is still not possible to go to France for tourism.

The country will have closed borders at least until July 10. Neighboring Poland has also closed borders for tourists and the negotiations are still underway.