Respirators to become the only anti-COVID measure in Czech Republic

“From March 1 respirators will become the final measure against Covid-19 in the Czech Republic” Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic stated speaking to the mass media representatives after the meeting of the government on February 9.

According to the official data for Tuesday, February 8 there were 37 627 COVID cases which are lower than in comparison with the last week (57 232). 3553 people were hospitalized, 214 of which are in critical condition. Last week the number of the hospitalized people with COVID was 3553, 217 of the patients’ condition was serious. The cases of mortality for Monday were 54 people being the highest since the first week of January.

15 315 people were vaccinated on Tuesday, 11 646 of which had a booster and only 719 underwent the first vaccination, and 2993 people completed it.

The number of the new cases decreased in all regions of the country. The worst situation is said to be in South Moravia (2202), followed by the Liberec Region (2152), but the situation in the Region of  Karlovy Vary (1580) and in Prague(1812) is relatively  better in comparison with the mentioned ones.

The number of workers with positive results is 12 161 being lower that last week (about 20 000). Due to low interest for vaccination some centers were closed. Compulsory testing begun on January 17 is to end on February 18. Preventive tests at school are expected to finish the same day.

In accordance with the Supreme Administrative Court’s decision preliminary certificates for international flights are required in many cases. Check of so-called passports proving COVID vaccination or recovery documents from the coronavirus infection in restaurants, services, fitness clubs, swimming pools, cultural and sports events have been cancelled and people will not show vaccination certificates at the above-mentioned places from Tuesday midnight. The number of visitors at cultural and sporting events is to be gradually raised. Thus, the number of restrictions as of March 1 will be fewer than before, but the duty to wear respirators will be mandatory and numerical limitations of participants in mass events will be still applied.

The people are asked to follow hygiene rules and respect social distancing. Compensation is to be paid by the government to entrepreneurs having lost money due to the pandemic. Further relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions will be discussed at the meeting of the government next Wednesday.