Czech Republic: Authorities extend national state of emergency until November 20 /update 28

Event

Czech authorities have extended the national state of emergency until November 20 as the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases continues to rise. The government initially declared the state of emergency on October 5 following an uptick in COVID-19 confirmed cases. Associated restrictions will remain in place.

A nightly curfew introduced previously until November 3, will remain in place nationwide from 21:00 - 05:00 (local time) until at least November 20. Movement is restricted during curfew hours with individuals encouraged to stay at home unless conducting essential tasks. Individuals may leave if traveling to and from the workplace, making necessary family trips, for individual exercise, trips to natural areas and parks, and shopping for essential items such as groceries and medication. Masks are mandatory on public transport and in all indoor public spaces, and outdoors when a social distance of 2m (6ft) cannot be observed. 

Most stores are required to close between 20:00 and 05:00 Monday-Saturday and will remain closed on Sundays. Petrol stations, pharmacies, and stores at railway stations or airports, may be exempt. Employees must work from home wherever possible. Restaurants and bars and similar establishments remain closed except for takeout services, which is permitted until 20:00. Indoor sports facilities, including swimming pools and gyms, as well as casinos, remain closed and hotels are open for business travelers only. Public gatherings, both indoors and outdoors, are limited to two persons from different households, except for family members from the same household. Weddings and funerals are limited to ten people. Protests and demonstrations are limited to a maximum of 100 people in clusters of no more than 20 people.

As of Monday, November 2, there have been 345,699 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 3603 associated fatalities in Czech Republic. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on the skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.