Czech Republic: Authorities tighten restrictions on travel to and from India due to COVID-19 concerns through at least May 31 /update 39

Event

Authorities in the Czech Republic have added India to the nation's recently implemented list of countries experiencing extremely high levels of COVID-19 infection rates ("gray level") as of April 28. Countries designated at the new gray level are subject to particularly tight international travel restrictions through at least May 31. Only citizens and residents of the Czech Republic, including citizens of EU nations holding temporary residency permits in the Czech Republic, as well as family members of such persons, are allowed entry from gray-listed countries. Travel from the Czech Republic to these countries is prohibited. All permitted arrivals from locations at the gray level must make a reservation for testing in the Czech Republic before travel, take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test no later than 24 hours after arrival, and self-isolate for at least 10 days. Such travelers may end the isolation period by testing negative for COVID-19 using a second PCR test taken no sooner than 10 days after arrival.

The Czech government categorizes all countries as green, orange, red, dark red, or gray zones in order of increasing severity of COVID-19 activity:

Green countries: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vatican City
Orange countries: Iceland, Finland, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, Spain (only Balearic Islands)
Red countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Italy, Lichtenstein, Latvia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Norway, Austria, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Germany, Spain (excluding Balearic Islands), Switzerland, Portugal (Azores only)
Dark red countries: All countries not otherwise categorized
Gray countries: Botswana, Brazil, Eswatini, South Africa, India, Kenya, Colombia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Peru, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

All nonessential travel to the country remains suspended, with the exception of travel by Czech nationals and residents; persons traveling for essential purposes may enter the Czech Republic. Czech citizens and residents arriving from green countries may enter without restriction. Individuals arriving from an orange, red, or dark red country must fill out an electronic arrival form before departing for the Czech Republic and wear a facemask with a filtering facepiece protection class of at least 2 (FFP2) when in public for 14 days after arrival. They must also produce a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure, or an antigen test taken no more than 24 hours prior to departure. Travelers from orange countries must submit a negative COVID-19 test before entering their workplace or educational institution. Travelers from red countries must take a second COVID-19 test within five days following arrival, while travelers from dark red countries may not take a second test earlier than five days after arrival; travelers in both categories must remain in self-isolation until the results from these second tests return.

Domestic restrictions

The nation's state of emergency is no longer in force; moreover, the daily curfew has been lifted and nonessential movement between districts has been allowed to resume. Starting May 3, authorities will allow close contact professions such as hairdressers to reopen.

The following controls remain in effect as of April 29:

Social gatherings are limited to 10 people inside or 20 people outside; other public gatherings are limited to a maximum of 100 attendees.
Catering establishments are permitted to provide carryout services only.
Many businesses and services remain closed; those that are permitted to open must adhere to strict hygiene and social distancing measures.
Protective face coverings are mandatory in all indoor public areas, on public transportation, and outdoors when social distancing of 2 meters (6 feet) between people cannot be observed.
Employees are advised to work from home wherever possible.

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

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.