The Czech Republic will move forward plans to ease its coronavirus lockdown by two weeks to get most businesses and restaurants operating again by May 25.

Industry Minister Karel Havlicek said on Thursday the slowing of new infections since the Easter holiday weekend this month had been good enough for the government to move faster.

“We evaluated Easter, the results are very promising,” Havlicek told a televised news briefing. “There will be 14-day intervals (in the re-opening), at the moment (the schedule) roughly copies what is done in Germany or Austria.”

From Monday, the government will allow shops with floor space of up to 2,500 square metres  to re-open, along with fitness centres, libraries, small church services and outdoor zoo exhibits.

“Establishments up to 2,500 m2 and with their own entrance can reopen from Monday, April 27, as well as driving schools, gyms and fitness centers, libraries, zoos and botanical gardens without indoor pavilions,” said Havlíček.

Shopping centres, larger shops, hair and beauty salons, restaurants and cafes with a dispensing window, barbershop, massages, galleries, and exteriors areas of castles and chateaux are slated to open again from May 11 under the adjusted plan, which then sees restaurants, hotels, theatres and most other services open by May 25.

The government did not announce any plans to lift compulsory wearing of face masks in public and said it would decide on allowing public gatherings later.

On Thursday, the cabinet was scheduled to hold an extraordinary meeting to extend the state of emergency, but it was suspended due to a Prague court decision that canceled some measures by the Ministry of Health.

These are mainly related to the closure of shops and restriction of movement.

 

April 27
– Stores up to 2,500 square meters (except those in shopping centers)
– Driving schools
– Gyms and fitness centres but the showers and dressing rooms within them will be off-limits.

May 11
– Restaurants, bars, and cafes, with service from windows or in gardens.
– Hairdressers
– Beauty salons
– Tanning salons
– Museums, galleries, exhibition halls
– Zoological gardens (outdoor parts only)

May 25
– Shopping center
– Restaurants, cafes, and bars
– Hotels, hostels, (including their restaurants)
– Theaters
– Castles and palaces
– Bookstores
– Cinemas and theaters
– It will be possible to hold events for up to 50 people
– Tattoo and piercing salons

On Tuesday, April 14, the Czech government has unveiled a phased-out plan for easing the coronavirus restrictions in the coming weeks.

The plan was presented by the Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček. It is still a draft version, this means that certain dates can be shifted if the situation in the country gets worse.

April 20
– Car shows
– Car boot sales
– Professional athletes will be able to train in public
– Weddings up to 10 people (with specific hygienic measures in place)
– Farmers markets
– Craftsmen and their workshops (e.g. locksmiths, shoe repair shops, joiners etc.)

April 27
– Stores up to 200 square meters (except those in shopping centers)

May 11
– Stores up to 1000 square meters (except those in shopping centers)
– Driving schools
– Gyms and fitness centres but the showers and dressing rooms within them will be off limits.

May 25
– Restaurants, bars, and cafes, with service from windows or in gardens.
– Hairdressers
– Beauty salons
– Tanning salons
– Museums, galleries, exhibition halls
– Zoological gardens (outdoor parts only)

June 8
– Shopping center
– Restaurants, cafes, and bars
– Hotels, hostels, (including their restaurants)
– Theaters
– Castles and palaces
– Bookstores
– Cinemas and theaters
– It will be possible to hold events for up to 50 people
– Tattoo and piercing salons

 

Schools

Schools will also open gradually. University entrance exams are scheduled for June, and if the development of the disease permits, schools will open for school leavers on May 11th, and younger schoolchildren (including kindergartens) on May 25th.

The Ministry of Education expects the first school-leaving examinations after June 1st. Admission exams for secondary schools will also take place in June, and for the last month of the school year, pupils at the second level of primary schools and secondary school students outside the final year can return to school for classes or consultations.

• Were not closed by a government order, therefore their reopening is primarily up to their owners [my note: often local municipalities]
• However, they will be allowed to open only if they can comply with conditions set by the Ministry of Health.
• According to the Education Minister reopening by the 25th of May is realistic, but ultimately not up to the ministry, as per the above.