Czech Republic: Authorities continuing to gradually ease COVID-19-related restrictions as of May 20 /update 41

Event

The government of the Czech Republic is continuing to gradually ease the nation's COVID-19-related restrictions as of May 20. Effective May 17, catering establishments are permitted to reopen their outdoor spaces for individuals who have been vaccinated against or have recovered from COVID-19. Most nonessential businesses are allowed to operate subject to strict hygiene and social distancing requirements. However, social gatherings remain limited to 10 people indoors or 20 people outside. Moreover, facemasks are still mandatory in all indoor public areas, on public transportation, and public outdoor areas where social distancing of at least 2 meters (6 feet) cannot be observed.

International Entry Restrictions
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.

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

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 workplaces or educational institutions. 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.

Permitted travelers arriving from orange or red countries who can present a certificate of vaccination issued by authorities in the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, or Slovenia are exempt from testing and quarantine requirements. The exemption applies 22 days after the vaccine has been administered; it is valid for three months after receiving only the first dose of a two-dose vaccine, and nine months after the first dose for anyone who has completed a full course of vaccination.

As of May 20, the countries classified under each color-coded category are as follows:

Green countries: Australia, Iceland, Israel, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vatican City
Orange countries: Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira), San Marino, Spain (only Balearic Islands)
Red countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lichtenstein, Latvia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (excluding the Balearic Islands), and Switzerland
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

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.