Czech Republic: Health officials suspend nonessential travel to the country from Jan. 30 due to coronavirus disease /update 31

Czech Republic to suspend nonessential travel to the country starting Jan. 30 due to COVID-19. Domestic restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities in the Czech Republic are suspending all nonessential travel to the country starting 0001 Jan. 30; these restrictions will not apply to Czech nationals and residents. Those permitted to travel for essential purposes and returning Czech citizens will be subject to previously imposed orders. The government currently categorizes all countries as green, orange, or red zones based on local COVID-19 activity:

Green countries: Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Vatican City
Orange countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Iceland, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Canary Islands
Red countries: All other countries

Czech citizens and residents arriving from green and orange countries may enter the Czech Republic without restriction but foreigners traveling for essential purposes in the Czech Republic must submit a negative COVID-19 test before entering the workplace or educational institution. Any individual arriving from a red country must fill out an electronic arrival form before departing for the Czech Republic. They must also either produce proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken in an EU or EEA country within no more than 72 hours before arrival or take a COVID-19 test within 5-7 days of arrival and self-isolate until the results return

Authorities are also maintaining a nationwide COVID-19 related State of Emergency and constituent restrictions until at least Feb. 14. The following domestic measures remain in place:

A daily curfew is in effect from 2100-0500; individuals may only leave their homes for emergencies.
Most nonessential shops and services, including restaurants, are closed.
Employees are advised to work from home wherever possible.
Public gatherings are limited to two people.
Sports and recreation facilities such as swimming pools, fitness, or wellness centers must close.
Protective face coverings are mandatory in all indoor public areas, on public transportation, and outdoors when social distancing of two meters (six feet) between people cannot be observed.

Authorities could ease, tighten, extend, or otherwise amend restrictions at any time depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.