adam vojtech coronavirus Archives

From Saturday, July 25 at midnight, it will be mandatory to wear face masks at indoor public gatherings with over 100 people, including nightclubs. The Health Minister Adam Vojtěch (ANO) informed Czech Television today afternoon.

“We are not planning to close certain industries or limit the free movement of people, but prevention is needed. The measures taken are based on information from the regional hygienic stations,” said Vojtěch.

“This measure does not concern shops or restaurants, but specifically sports and cultural events,” the minister specified.

A maximum of 500 people seated in five separate sectors, each comprising 100 people, will be allowed at indoor events.

The number of cases is growing, but the risk group over the age of 65 is not affected and there are no more serious cases that require hospitalization. “However, a number of smaller outbreaks show that there may be potential for a community spread,” said the minister.

An outbreak of coronavirus linked to a music club in Prague has recently increased to 98 cases, including footballers from several of the city’s clubs.

PM Babiš stressed that the Czech Republic had managed the first wave of the epidemic very well, but expressed concerns about the daily increase in coronavirus cases.

The number of new cases in the Czech Republic has been growing significantly in recent days. On Tuesday, the country recorded 212 new positive people. On Wednesday, 247.

The number of active coronavirus infections topped 5,000 in the Czech Republic for the first time after labs reported the highest daily rise in nearly a month.

The Czech government will discuss the resumption of the Central Crisis Staff on Monday.

If you are looking for a job in Prague, check our new job section here
Time to move to a new flat? Rents with no commission here!
Want to advertise your business on Prague Morning? Contact us at info@praguemorning.cz

According to the Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch, the compulsory use of facemasks on public transport may return from October or November.

“In autumn, the normal seasonal flu could compound health risks stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Additional tests will also be needed to exclude other diseases,” says Vojtech.

“The incidence of the disease will determine whether we need to wear face masks again. We need to prevent the spread of infection when other respiratory viruses will circulate,” added Vojtěch.

Currently, masks are mandatory only in the Prague metro and in public transport in the Moravian-Silesian and Jihlava regions. It should also be worn in inpatient facilities and nursing homes, as well as indoors at public events.

The compulsory use of the face mask was introduced by the Czech government on March 19, when citizens were “obliged to wear any form of respiratory protection in public places, including in the open air”.

The Czech Republic had 13,238 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection by Tuesday morning, with 64 new infections on Monday. So far 8,373 people have recovered and 353 people have died.

Although the virus is still circulating in Prague, the capital city has only seen a residual amount of new Covid-19 cases in recent days.

At the beginning of April, the Czech-made video #Masks4All by Petr Ludwig and Aneta Kernová in English language was watched by millions of people worldwide and featured on CNN.

The video encouraged people across the world to wear face masks during the global pandemic to slow down the spread of coronavirus.

If you are looking for a job in Prague, check our new job section here
Time to move to a new flat? Rents with no commission here!
Want to advertise your business on Prague Morning? Contact us at info@praguemorning.cz

Czech health authorities believe the spread of the new coronavirus is under control despite an uptick in cases in recent days.

The country is preparing to open pubs, hotels, and relax mask-wearing rules on Monday.

Public events for up to 300 people will be allowed next week, and swimming pools and schools will reopen. An initial easing of restrictions from May 11 had not had an adverse effect, Health Minister Adam Vojtech said.

“There are no negative trends noted, it is still valid that the Czech Republic has managed the situation very well,” he added.

The country had recorded 8,757 cases of Covid-19 by Friday morning, with 306 deaths.

Chief public health officer Jarmila Razova said there were currently two main local infection hot spots. In Prague, there were 50 new daily cases on average since May 1 scattered across the whole city. In the east of the country, more than 100 cases have been identified, mostly among the miners from one shaft and their families.

The Czech Republic took early action in March to close borders, schools, and much of the services sector and has also been eager to relax many of the restrictions.

In Prague, there were 50 new daily cases on average since May 1 scattered across the whole city, a presentation showed.

The overall number of hospitalized patients had dropped by two thirds from the peak to 150 on Friday.

The Czech Republic is donating 500,000 face masks to Italy to support healthcare workers. Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch (ANO) announced it during the daily government press conference.

Italy will receive the shipment this week.

Italy is one of the countries most affected by coronavirus, with 212,000 cases and 29,000 deaths.

Italy registered the lowest daily number of coronavirus-related deaths since just after its lockdown started two months ago. Both the number of new infections and patients in intensive care have continued to fall.

The country is relaxing its lockdown from Monday when Italians will be able to exercise as long as they respect rules on maintaining a physical distance. They will also be able to visit relatives – but not friends – within their region.

However, schools, cinemas, and most shops will stay shut. Bars and restaurants are due to start allowing customers to sit at tables in June.

On March 23, the Italian daily La Repubblica reported that Czech authorities seized Chinese masks intended for Italian hospitals under the guise of a sting against traffickers.

A few days later, the Czech Republic sent 110,000 of the much-needed protective items to Rome as compensation for the snafu, according to a report.

“We’ve just sent 110,000 face masks to Italy by bus heading to Rome… along with 43 Italian tourists who could not get back home,” Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek told Agence France-Presse.

Interior Minister Jan Hamacek later acknowledged on Twitter that “unfortunately, after further investigation, it turned out that a smaller part of this seizure was a Chinese donation to Italy.”

From May 11, ninth-graders students will return to school, cinemas, and theaters can reopen. Minister of Health added that there will be strict rules for visitors, such as a safe distance between them.

For example, cinemas will have a limit of 100 people per auditorium in the hall. However, they will not be allowed to sell any snacks. “No popcorn, no drinking. It would be necessary to take off the face mask and that is a great risk,” Vojtech explained.

There will always be one free row among the occupied ones. People must sit at least one empty seat apart. Only couples and married couples can sit next to each other.

Hairdressers and barbers need to wear a face mask. At the same time, it will be necessary to keep at least a two-meter distance between customers.

The Minister of Industry Karel Havlíček explained how restaurants’ gardens will work. “Customers can sit without restrictions at one table. However, the distance between guests at different tables must be one and a half meters”.

Shopping centers over 5,000 meters will open on May 11. Hand disinfection will be provided at each entrance. Disinfection must also be provided in all shops. Children’s corners and similar services won’t work. Employees must prevent people from gathering in front of the toilets.

“From May 11, it will be possible to try on clothes. Prerequisite is hand disinfection,” said Minister Vojtěch.

According to the Minister of Education Robert Plaga, kindergartens “will operate as usual, with increased hygienic measures”. Children do not have to wear a face mask, but they should spend most of their time outside outdoor.

Minister Plaga emphasized that the return of ninth-graders students to schools will be voluntary.

Sports and cultural events (up to 100 people) will be able to take place again, providing the epidemiological situation remains favourable and specific hygienic measures are in place. Indoor sports grounds will also be opened, said Milan Hnilička (ANO), chairman of the National Sports Agency.

Museums and galleries should also open from May 11. Up to 100 people will be allowed at the same time, with a maximum of one per ten square meters of space for visitors. “Galleries and museums know their exhibition area and therefore are able to count how many people can let in,” said Vojtech. Visitors have to keep two meters of safe distance.

Cross-border workers will newly be released from the mandatory quarantine if they present a negative test result to a district hygienic station within 72 hours after returning to the country. Negative test result will be required once in 30 days.

The smart quarantine project is to be applied actively nationwide as of May 1st after undergoing a testing period in several regions. It should replace the broad government-imposed restrictions which are being gradually eased.

Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) announced today to have resumed the operation of the cable car in the Prague Zoo.

At the same time, it will increase the operation of bus line No. 112, leading to the Zoo and Botanical Gardens. However, the cable car to Petřín will reopen on 11 May.

In connection with the gradual increase in the number of public transport passengers, ticket inspectors came back to work on Monday, April 27.

DPP has so far partially deployed them for other jobs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as filling and distributing disinfectants in the metro stations.

The Museum of Public Transport plans to reopen on Saturday, June 13, while the historic tram line 41 should resume on Saturday, May 16.

From today, shops the size of up to 2,500 square meters that have their own entrance and are not located in large shopping centers are free to reopen, as are driving schools, gyms and fitness centers, although without the use of showers and changing rooms.

The number of coronavirus cases in the Czech Republic reached 7404 on Monday morning, up by 52 on Sunday, the smallest daily increase since March 14.

Over 2,500 people have recovered, 221 people have died.

Lime announced today that it has partially resumed its operations in Prague.

Out of the 1,500 scooters that normally operate in the Czech capital, 200 have so far been re-deployed in the streets, said Ondřej Široký, the company’s operations manager.

Lime will also offer free 30-minute scooter rides for public-health workers and law enforcement officers, who can receive access simply by signing up.

“Micro mobility plays a critical role in moving people seamlessly through cities, and as an individual form of transportation, scooters can help fill an integral transportation gap at this important time,” Lime wrote in a statement.

Lime will provide in-app reminders of its “THRIVE” health and safety best practices, including:

Take precautions – inspect the scooter to make sure the wheels, brakes, throttle, lights, and frame are all in good working condition
Hands – wash your hands or use hand sanitizer which is at least 60 percent alcohol-based when you arrive at your final destination. Wear gloves when you can
Ride Solo for safety and social distancing; maintain a distance of at least six feet from others
Identify bike lanes and be aware of traffic lights and signs
Vigilance – remain alert of your surroundings and potential road and safety hazards
Essential rides only – scooter rides are for essential travel only, such as the grocery store, pharmacy or for healthcare purposes. No joyriding, and please follow your city’s shelter-in-place orders.

Lime will offer free 30-minute rides for health care workers and law enforcement officers in the following cities: Austin, Baltimore, Columbus, Dallas, Nashville, Norfolk, Va., Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City, Washington D.C, Berlin, Cologne, Paris, Rimini, and Tel Aviv.

The Czech Minister of Health, Adam Vojtech, shared his predictions about the full opening of borders, the return of tourists, music, cultural events, and the use of face masks.

Face masks
“I am convinced that the compulsory use of masks, was an effective measure. The Czech Republic was a pioneer in Europe on this matter (Slovakia introduced a similar injunction a week later). We have not won, the virus is still spreading. Masks must be compulsory for at least another two months”.

“At the end of June, an easing of compulsory facemask wearing could be put in place, depending on surrounding factors, such as for artists who are unable to work due to facemasks.”

Restaurants
“We have to think about how restaurants will work. In the very beginning, there will be a limited number of tables and costumers allowed. If we talk about masks, it is logical that they can not always wear them. While people eat or drink, the mask should hang around the neck.”

Borders
“This summer will not be the same as in previous years. We are negotiating with countries where the risk is relatively low, especially with Croatia, Austria, and Slovakia, but we still have to decide about a real opportunity to go abroad on vacation. As PM Babis said, the possibility of free travel only exists in theory as current conditions make traveling abroad virtually impossible.”

“The statements on the closure of borders for two years by President Zeman were not very successful, but at that time we did not know, and still do not know how the epidemic will develop.”

Public events
“I can’t even imagine holding a football or other sporting events with the participation of thousands of fans. There will be no major public events, festivals, or concerts, but I’m quite optimistic about holding games without fans.”

“When we look back at the debate on the Biathlon World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě, where we were massively criticized for its cancellation, no one today doubts that it was an absolutely right decision.”

As of Saturday morning, there were 7,273 total registered cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the Czech Republic. Friday saw 86 new cases registered in the country, the first increase in day-to-day registered cases this week.

Seven percent of Czechs who were active in terms of work before the coronavirus pandemic have lost their jobs, according to the latest survey “Life during a pandemic” conducted by PAQ Research and IDEA AntiCovid initiative.

Job losses have now occurred for 24 percent of the self-employed individuals and 3 percent of employees.

More than a third of employees said that their employment contract or work activities were adjusted for reduced hours (11 percent), reduced wages (8 percent) and benefits (8 percent). Others have been forced to take care of their children (6 percent), experienced forced leave (9 percent), and had a loss of income from an employment contract (4 percent).

The decline in the number of hours worked has stabilized compared to the end of March. About 30 to 35 percent of people working before the epidemic claims they now work up to 20 hours a week, and about 50 to 55 percent have maintained their full-time working hours of 40 hours a week or more.

Roughly a quarter of respondents who were active in terms of work before the epidemic have a relatively strong fear of losing their job.

More than 40 percent of people whose working conditions have changed, as well as about a third of people with lower qualifications and those who were poor before the epidemic, are also fearful of this outcome.

The number of those partially affected by the decline in household income has increased slightly since the end of March.

About 36 percent of households participating in the survey have savings that would be enough for a maximum of one month if they did not have any other income.

Roughly seven percent of people belong to a high-risk category, in which households have lost at least half of income and have savings for only one month. This group greatly consists of the self-employed, single parents and people whose working hours have changed.

The survey shows that 14 percent of households are still considering some radical solutions, such as loans, a sale of a property, and the search for cheaper housing. This applies to about a quarter of respondents from the group identified as vulnerable.

Thanks to the mortgage and rent payments deferment, the situation for households has improved, however, there are still some households that already had problems repaying long-term financial liabilities even before the crisis.

According to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, the possibility of traveling outside the Czech border is “only theoretical”. He announced it during an interview with iRozhlas on Friday morning.

In his opinion, “the Czech Republic managed the epidemic very well and is one of the ‘world leaders’ in this fight.”

“We had theoretically opened the borders, but in practice, people cannot get anywhere. Flights are mostly canceled and other governments won’t allow people from other countries to enter unless they have a valid coronavirus test. The lifted ban on travel abroad mainly applies to business trips,” added the Prime Minister.

However, travel conditions are regularly negotiated with neighboring countries. Babiš took part in video conferences with presidents and prime ministers from Austria, Denmark, Norway, Australia, and Greece, which are successfully managing the epidemic.

There is criticism that the announcement sowed confusion, with no immediate information on when foreign visitors would be allowed to re-enter, which would help Prague’s beleaguered tourism industry.

“Has the government opened the borders only for Czech citizens or for foreigners who would like to come to the Czech Republic?” tweeted Jiří Pehe, a political analyst and director of New York University in Prague.

According to the Prime Minister, “the mass tourism is still unrealistic, although now we allow citizens from traveling across borders. “But I recommend people to stay in the Czech Republic. It is safe here, we manage the epidemic very well compared to other countries,” says Babiš.

“Now we need to open shops, restaurants, and other businesses,” he concludes.

On Thursday evening, the Czech cabinet lifted a ban on its citizens traveling abroad for reasons other than work following an improvement in conditions of the coronavirus outbreak.

“It is possible to travel abroad, even for a holiday. But when one returns, they have to be COVID-negative, with proof by a test, or go into a two-week quarantine,” Vojtech said at a televised news conference.

Restrictions are also being lifted on movement within the country, with groups of up to 10 people permitted to gather. Previous rules limited outdoor gatherings to two.

Czech PM Andrej Babiš sees no reason to extend the State of Emergency, which expires on April 30.

The government will discuss it further on Thursday. According to Babiš, the whole ANO party will vote unanimously against the extension.

However, ČSSD chairman and the head of the country’s Central Crisis Staff, has repeatedly stated that an “extension of the State of Emergency would be necessary.”

“If the Prime Minister does not want to extend the State of Emergency, then it makes no sense to ask the government. I will order the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prepare the documents to stop the centralized distribution of protective equipment by April 30,” wrote Hamáček on Twitter.

“>Můj dopis panu premiérovi, v němž vysvětluji důvody pro pokračování nouzového stavu: pic.twitter.com/jCNvzj1Fkl

— Jan Hamáček (@jhamacek) April 21, 2020

Hamáček warned that it would no longer be possible, for instance, to purchase protective equipment centrally or to control the regime at the country’s borders.

Minister of Labor Jana Maláčová (ČSSD) is also skeptical about the consequences of the end of the State of Emergency on April 30. “If this happens, I want to know how to protect the elderly after the emergency, how we will help Czech companies, families and individuals to overcome this crisis. The emergency can be “canceled”, but it will not eliminate the real need of people,” she said to Novinky.cz

In the morning, the members of TOP 09 confirmed that they would not support further emergency extension.

The termination of the State of Emergency mode does not mean the automatic cancellation of restrictive measures.

The main point is that the Czech government will no longer be able to quickly and easily introduce new restrictions and adopt laws in a simplified manner.

The state of emergency was declared by the government effective 12 March 14:00 and was due to expire on Saturday 11 April; the government requested deputies to extend it until the end of the month.

The Czech Republic has reported no deaths from the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the Czech Ministry of Health informed on Sunday.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country is now up to 6,657, with 105 new cases on Saturday.

The number of fatalities has not changed since Saturday, namely 181. 1,235 people recovered, eight more than on Saturday. 84 patients are in critical condition.

The number of new daily COVID-19 cases has slowed down for the third time in a row, but fewer tests are conducted during the weekends.

The majority of people with COVID-19 are in Prague: 1,574 are registered in the capital, roughly a quarter of all cases in the country. Prague also has the highest proportion of people with COVID-19 per capita.

On the contrary, the best situation is registered in South Bohemia with 25 cases every 100 thousand inhabitants.

Almost 19 percent of all infected people in the Czech Republic are in the age group between 45 and 54 years. People aged 65-74 years account for 10 percent. People aged 75-84 years account for more than 6 percent, seniors over 85 are less than 4 percent.

The Health Ministry predicts that by the end of this month, there may be up to 11,000 people infected with the coronavirus.

Search