Czech Republic: Authorities amend international COVID-19 risk classifications from Aug. 2 /update 46

Czech Republic amends international COVID-19 risk assessments from Aug. 2; travel and business disruptions continue.

Event

Authorities have redefined their COVID-19 country risk classifications from Aug. 2 as part of efforts to minimize the spread of the virus. The government categorizes all countries as green, orange, red, dark red, or black zones in order of increasing severity of COVID-19 activity. Andorra has been reclassified as a dark red location, and Denmark and France have now been designated as red locations. Iceland, Italy, and Switzerland have been classified as orange locations.

Nonessential travel is permitted from EU-associated countries, Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Montenegro, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Macau, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, the US, Thailand, and Taiwan; travel from other locations is permitted for limited essential reasons only.

All arrivals must fill out an electronic arrival form before departing for the Czech Republic. They must also produce a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure; travelers from green or orange countries can opt to take an antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before departure or within five days of arrival. Travelers from red and dark red countries must take a second COVID-19 test no earlier than five days after arrival and remain in self-isolation until the results from these second tests return. 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 black-listed countries. All permitted arrivals present a negative PCR test taken before arrival, self-isolate for 10 days on arrival, and take further PCR on day one and day 10 of isolation.

A full list of country classifications as of July 30 is available here (in Czech). Permitted travelers who can present a certificate of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 issued by an EU authority are exempt from testing and quarantine requirements.

Domestic Restrictions
Domestic restrictions remain in effect as of Aug. 2. Nonessential businesses and services are permitted to operate subject to capacity and social distancing requirements; some facilities are available to individuals who have been vaccinated against, recovered from, or recently tested negative for COVID-19. Public gatherings are limited to 20 people. Facemasks are mandatory in enclosed public spaces. Some cultural events, including concerts and theatre performances, are prohibited.

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.