The Czech Republic is imposing a new series of restrictive measures in response to a record surge in coronavirus infections.

From midnight on October 14, all restaurants, bars, and clubs will be closed until the end of the emergency. Takeaway orders will still be available until 8 p.m.

Furthermore, all schools will be closed until November 1, with the exception of schools for the children of doctors, nurses, and rescue workers. Kindergartens will remain open.

Citizens need to wear face masks at public transport stops. A maximum of six people can gather in public and a ban on drinking alcohol in public spaces has also been put in place.

“If the average reproduction number per week will be reduced to 0.8, the measures taken today will be relaxed,” added Babiš.

“We see that the growing trend has the same parameters as other countries such as Israel or the United Kingdom, where there has been the introduction of comprehensive measures. We have to do it, we have no other chance,” said Prymula, adding that “we must change the trend, otherwise the capacity of hospitals will be filled”.

A 30-day state of emergency has been implemented on October 5.

There was a new record high of 8,618 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday, marking the fourth straight day last week of a new record for single-day coronavirus infections.

Government data shows the Czech Republic has had 119,007 confirmed cases with 1,045 deaths, on Monday. Of them, 256 people died last week.

Po jednání vlády jsou přijata tato opatření. pic.twitter.com/PNp2Rr9eIL

— Roman Prymula (@profesorPrymula) October 12, 2020

Po jednání vlády jsou přijata tato opatření. pic.twitter.com/PNp2Rr9eIL

— Roman Prymula (@profesorPrymula) October 12, 2020