Czech Republic: Authorities enforcing international COVID-19 risk classifications and domestic measures as of Aug. 25 /update 48

Czech Republic amends international COVID-19 risk assessments and domestic measures as of Aug. 25; travel and business disruptions continue.

Event

Officials in the Czech Republic have amended their COVID-19 country risk classifications. Authorities maintain a country categorization system and associated entry requirements as part of efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Countries are categorized as green, orange, red, dark red, or black zones in order of increasing severity of COVID-19 activity. As of Aug. 25 Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Spain, and Switzerland have been reclassified as red locations, Croatia and Germany are classified as orange, and Israel and the US are dark red.

Nonessential travel is permitted from EEA-associated countries as well as Albania, Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Macau, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Nonessential travel from other locations is permitted for vaccinated travelers only. Unvaccinated travelers may only enter the country for limited essential reasons unless they are residents of an EEA-associated country. Vaccinations must be approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or a recognized equivalent body.

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 return. Only citizens and residents of the Czech Republic, including citizens of EU nations holding temporary residency permits in the Czech Republic and their relatives, are allowed entry from black-listed countries. All permitted arrivals must present a negative PCR test result taken before arrival, self-isolate for 10 days on arrival, and take further PCR tests on day one and day 10 of isolation. A full list of country classifications is available here.

Permitted travelers who can present a certificate of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 are exempt from testing and quarantine requirements.

Domestic Restrictions
Authorities are maintaining domestic restrictions. 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.

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.