Czech Republic COVID-19 Crisis Measures Issued After the Announcement of the State of Emergency 

March, 2020 - KSB Covid-19 Task Force

Crisis measures issued after the announcement of the state of emergency

List as of 14 March 2020

1. Temporary implementation of the protection of internal borders in the Czech Republic

Underlying document: Government Declartion No. 197 from 12.3.2020 and extraordinary measures of the Ministry of the Interior dated 13.3.2020

Effectiveness from: 14.3.2020 od 0:00 hod.

Effectivness until: 18.3.2020 do 23:59

Summary: On the basis of this Government Resolution, the Ministry of the Interior issued an emergency measure of a general nature to protect the land borders with Germany and Austria and airborne internal borders; after the measure has ceased to apply, the government intends to proceed with the introduction of border control at the general level, and it is very likely that stricter measures will be adopted.

2. Ban of entry into and travel to risk areas and the suspension of issue of visas and residency authorizations

Underlying document: Government Declaration No. 198 of 12.3.2020

Effectivness from: 14.3.2020 od 0:00 hod.

Effectivness until: 11.4.2020 (resp. until cancelled) in relation to measures concnerning visas and residence permits

Effectivness until : 16.3.2020 do 0:00 in relation to the prohibition of entry and travel to risk areas;

From 16.3.2020 from 0:00 a total ban applies to the entry into and travelling out from the Czech Republic (see crisis measures under point 3 below).

Summary:By this emergency measure, the government (a) banned the entry of foreigners from risk areas, (b) banned Czech citizens from entering risk areas unless an exemption was granted, (c) stopped or suspended the issuance of visas and residence permits over 90 days; stipulated that foreigners who were in the territory legally temporarily or permanently in the territory under the rules for the stay of foreigners at the time of the declaration of an emergency are entitled to remain in the territory for the duration of the emergency. The risk areas are identified by the Minister of Health by a notice published on the website of the Ministry of Health. As of 14 March 2020, the countries concerned are:China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark and France. For the sake of clarity of the measure, we attach a table of the Ministry and reiterate that this crisis measure on the ban on entry and exit was tightened by Government Resolution No. 209 of 13 March 2020 (see point 3 below).

*List of exemptions see the list on the website www.mvcr.cz/clanek/cestovani-po-dobu-nouzoveho -stavu.aspx

**List of risk area countries will be updated regularly on the website www.koronavirus.mzcr.cz/staty-sveta-s-vysokem-rizikem-prenosu-nakazy

Source (translation) from – Interior Ministry’s website

3. Prohibition for all foreigners to enter and all Czech citizens to leave the Czech Republic

Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 203 of 13 March 2020

Takes effect on: 16 March2020, 0:00.

Expires on: 11 April2020 (or until further notice)

Summary: the government has banned entry for all foreigners with the exception of those who have been granted temporary residence over 90 days or permanent residence in the Czech Republic. This does not apply if the entry of a particular foreigner is desirable in the interest of the Czech Republic. In addition, the government forbade Czech citizens and foreigners with a permanent or temporary residence for over 90 days to leave the Czech Republic; this does not apply if an exemption is granted (whether across-the-board or individual). Exceptions are set by the Minister of the Interior by publishing them on the Ministry of the Interior’s website, which is continuously updated.

Below is the Interior Ministry’s chart that clarifies the measure outlined above and that also reflects the quarantine obligation stipulated by Government Resolution No. 209 (see clause 4 below).

*List of exemptions see the list on the website www.mvcr.cz/clanek/cestovani-po-dobu-nouzoveho -stavu.aspx

**List of risk area countries will be updated regularly on the website www.koronavirus.mzcr.cz/staty-sveta-s-vysokem-rizikem-prenosu-nakazy

Source (Translation from) – Interior Ministry’s website

4. Mandatory quarantine after one returns from risk areas and reporting duties if there are coronavirus desease symptoms

Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 209 of 13 March 2020

Takes effect on:13 March2020, starting 12:00 p.m.

Expires on: 11 April2020 (or until further notice)

Summary: By this measure, the government extends the applicability of Government Resolution No. 198 of 12 March 2020 and orders all Czech citizens and foreigners with temporary or permanent residence (who reside in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days or if they are employed in the Czech Republic) who have returned from any risk area after the Government Resolution took force to report this fact to their general practitioner immediately after they return to the Czech Republic. This duty does not apply to individuals covered by the exemption granted by the Minister of the Interior under Government Decisions No. 198 of 12 March 2020 and No. 203 of 13 March 2020. The government further orders the individuals referred to above to report any symptoms of influenza to their general practitioner immediately.

At the same time, the government requires all health service providers in the field of general practice for adults or general practice for children and adolescents to decide whether a person who returns from a risk area is to be quarantined for 14 days or not. The risk areas are identified by the Minister of Health by a notice published on the Health Ministry’s website. As of 14 March 2020, the following countries are concerned: China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark and France.

5. Prohibitions in international passenger transport

Underlying document:Government Resolution No. 200 of 12 March 2020

Takes effect on: 14 March 2020 from 0:00 a.m.

Expires on: 11 April 2020 (or until further notice)

Summary: The government has banned passenger transport across the Czech borders for all carriers engaged in international road transport provided by vehicles with capacity of more than 9 passengers, passenger transport across the borders of the Czech Republic for all carriers engaged in international railroad passenger transport, passenger transport for all carriers engaged in cross-border national river transport with passengers on board during which the borders of the Czech Republic are crossed and the use of any airports other than Václav Havel Prague International Airport for all carriers engaged in commercial air transport which may have passengers on board if the borders of the Czech Republic are crossed. The only transport allowed is the return of Czech citizens and foreigners who have been granted permanent or temporary (over 90 days) residence to the Czech Republic and the leaving the territory of the Czech Republic by foreigners which is permitted only by road passenger occasional transport. It is also possible to transport empty buses, trains and vessels without passengers to/outside the Czech Republic. The Minister of Transport is authorized to grant an exemption from an emergency government measure.

6. Prohibition of sale of goods and services, food operations and operation of gambling establishments and casinos

Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 211 of 14 March 2020

Takes effect on: 14 March 2020 from 6:00 a.m.

Expires on: 24 March 2020 until 6:00 a.m. applicable to the prohibition to sell goods and services, the prohibition to sell food in shopping centres and the prohibition of presence in restaurants and food operations

Expires on: 11 April2020 (or until further notice) applicable to the prohibition to operate games and casinos

Summary: By its resolution No. 2011, the government prohibited retail sale and sale in establishments (such as hairdressers); the prohibition does not apply to stores and shops that sell: food, computer and telecommunications equipment, audio and video receivers, consumer electronics, appliances and other household products, fuel, fuels, sanitary goods, cosmetics and other dry goods, pharmacies and dispensaries of medical devices, small pets, feed and other pet supplies, spectacles, contact lenses and related goods, newspapers and magazines, tobacco products, laundry and dry cleaning services, on-line sales and sales via other remote means and goods and services that are predominantly sold or offer at the particular establishment.

Moreover, the government banned the presence of the public in food establishments, save for establishments that do not serve the public (such as employee canteens, canteens in health and social service providers, prisons). This prohibition does not apply to off-premises sales (such as fast-food outlets with a pick-up window or takeaway food without entering the establishment), which may take place without any time limit.

At the same time, the government banned the operation of food establishments located within shopping centres with the sales area of more than 5000 m2, and the operation of gambling establishments and casinos.

7. Prohibition of assembly and other events in which more than 30 persons would participate and prohibition of presence of the public in establishments of providers of some services

Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 199 of 12 March2020 as mended by Government Resolution No. 211 of 14 March 2020

Takes effect on: 14 March 2020 starting 6:00 a.m.

Expires on: 11 April 2020 (or until further notice)

Summary: The government has prohibited theatrical, musical, film and other artistic performances, athletic, cultural, religious, federal, dance, traditional and similar events and other gatherings, exhibitions, festivals, pilgrimages, shows, tastings, markets and fairs, educational events, both public and private, which more than 30 people would attend at the same time. This prohibition does not apply to meetings, sessions and similar actions of constitutional bodies, public authorities, courts and other public bodies held by law and to funerals. Moreover, the government also prohibited the presence of the public in the premises of some service providers - gyms, natural and artificial swimming pools, solariums, saunas, wellness services, music and social clubs, entertainment facilities, public libraries, galleries.

8. Extended prohibition of public presence in establishments of service providers and prohibition of sale in markets and market places

Underlying document:Government Resolution No. 208 of 13 March 2020

Takes effect on: 14 March 2020 starting 6:00 a.m.

Expires on: 11 April 2020 (or until further notice)

Summary: The government extended the prohibition of public presence in service providers’ establishments (premises) (imposed by Resolution No. 199) to include swimming pools and tourist information centres, indoor and outdoor sports facilities with capacity of more than 30 people at one moment and prohibited retail sales at markets and marketplaces (such as SAPA).

9. Prohibition of school education, educational and leisure activities involving education

Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 201 of 12 March 2020

Takes effect on: 13 March 2020

Expires on: 11 April 2020 (or until further notice)

Summary: The government has banned the personal presence of pupils and students at primary, secondary and tertiary professional education in schools and educational establishments, at basic art education at primary art schools and language education at a language schools (which are authorized to carry out state language examinations) and events organized by these schools. Moreover, the government has banned the personal presence of pupils and students in collective forms of teaching and examinations at universities. Personal presence in clinical and practical teaching and practice, personal presence in education in one-year foreign language courses with full-time tuition in institutions enrolled in the list of educational institutions providing one-year foreign language courses full-time education under the Act on State Social Support and finally the presence of children, pupils and students and other participants in non-formal education in non-formal education institutions, and competitions and shows organized for children, pupils and students of schools and school facilities according to the School Act is possible.

10. Duty of Ministry of Justice to draft final draft government regulation which shall establish, for purpose of criminal law, which disease is considered to be acontagious human disease, a contagious animal disease, a contagious plant disease and which pests are considered commercial plant pests

Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 210 of 13 March 2020

11. No visits in prisons, custody prison and institutions for the carrying out of security detention throughout emergency situations

Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 204 of 13 March 2020

Takes effect on: 14 March 2020 starting 0:00 a.m.

Expires on: 11 April 2020 (or until further notice)

12. Duty of the Deputy PM, the Minister of Industry and Trade and the Minister of Transport to enablepassage to vehicles which are prohibited under Section 43 of the Road Traffic Act

Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 205 of 13 March 2020

13. Duty of the Health Minister to submit on a continuous basis applications for budgetary measures from the Chapter of the General Cash Administration, Government Budget Reserve item

Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 206 of 13 March 2020

14. Imposing work duty on students in social service facilities throughout the period of the state of emergency and suspension of social service providers' operations

Underlying document: Government Resolution No. 207 of 13 March 2020

 



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