Oct 29, 2021

Czech Republic Says No to Obligatory COVID Pass for Workers

Prague Morning

Representatives of the Czech government, employers, and trade unions have refused to impose any restrictions on unvaccinated workers.

The priority for the upcoming weeks should be the promotion of vaccination, emphasising its benefits, they said.

As EURACTIV.cz reports, the obligation for workers to be vaccinated or test negative was proposed by outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamáček. However, he failed as the system recently introduced in Italy was harshly criticised by trade unions and employers.

“It is impossible to implement such measures to the detriment of employees,” said Vít Samek, vice-president of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions after Wednesday’s tripartite meeting.

Health Minister Adam Vojtěch confirmed that obligatory vaccination is currently off the table. The government will focus on vaccine promotion as the only possible solution to the COVID-19 crisis.

Czechia is facing another spike in coronavirus cases. On Tuesday, more than 6,000 new cases were recorded, and the number of hospitalised people is steadily rising as well. Only 57% of citizens have been vaccinated so far.

The government has already decided to strict the current measures to motivate people to get the jab. From 1 November, restaurants and bars will be obliged to check the COVID certificate.

On top of that, reimbursement of COVID-19 preventive tests will be limited. Only people under 18 and people who cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions will be entitled to get a test free of charge.