Czech Republic: Authorities amend international COVID-19 risk classifications and domestic measures as of Aug. 16 /update 47

Czech Republic amends international COVID-19 risk assessments and domestic measures as of Aug. 16; travel and business disruptions continue.

Event

Authorities in the Czech Republic have amended their COVID-19 country risk classifications as of Aug. 16. Authorities maintain a country categorization system 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. Monaco has been reclassified as a dark red location, while Estonia, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Portugal's Madeira islands are now designated as red 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 and family members of such persons, are allowed entry from black-listed countries. All permitted arrivals must 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 is available here. 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
Authorities have further eased domestic restrictions as of Aug. 16. Outdoor sporting and cultural events may not exceed 7,000 attendees unless all persons have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within the previous 180 days. Indoor sporting and cultural events may not exceed 3,000 attendees unless all persons have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within the previous 180 days.

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.