Covid: Czech government approve restrictions for unvaccinated

Demonstrators protest against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions during the commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Prague.
Demonstrators protest against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions during the commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Prague.
DAVID W CERNY
Max Parry

By Max Parry


Published: 18/11/2021

- 14:30

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:54

The Health minister says that most unvaccinated people will no longer be allowed to attend public events, go to bars and restaurants, visit hairdressers, museums and similar, or use hotels

The Czech government has approved new coronavirus restrictions that specifically target unvaccinated people amid a record surge in infections.

Health minister Adam Vojtech said that most unvaccinated people will no longer be allowed to show negative coronavirus test results in order to attend public events, go to bars and restaurants, visit hairdressers, museums and similar, or use hotels.


Only people who are vaccinated and those who have recovered from Covid-19 will remain eligible.

There are exceptions for teenagers aged 12 to 18, people whose medical condition does not allow vaccination and people who have received one shot of a vaccine.

Mr Vojtech said the goal of the measures that will come into force on Monday is to motivate people to get vaccinated.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis said his government was inspired by similar measures imposed in the German state of Bavaria.

Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis arrives for the Cop26 summit.
Czech Republic's Prime Minister Andrej Babis arrives for the Cop26 summit.
Phil Noble

“The situation is serious and we again urge everyone to get vaccinated,” Mr Babis said.

A negative test will be enough for visitors to hospitals and nursing homes.

Additionally, the government is imposing mandatory testing for non-vaccinated employees of all firms and companies once a week. Those who are over 60 and have been vaccinated will also have to be tested.

At the same time, the testing at elementary and high schools that was supposed to end on November 29 will continue.

The announcement came after the Czech daily tally soared to 22,511 new cases on Tuesday, eclipsing the previous record set on January 7 by almost 5,000 and nearly 8,000 more than just a week earlier.

The country’s infection rate has risen to 819 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days, up from 558 a week earlier.

The Czech Republic has a vaccination rate below the average of the European Union’s 27 nations.

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