Press Advisories
3. 6. 2020
Czech/Slovak border to open at midnight for citizens of both countries, agree prime ministers Andrej Babiš and Igor Matovič
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš received the Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovič on Wednesday 3 June 2020 during his first official visit to the Czech Republic. The main themes of the call were cooperation on the issue of the reopening of the common borders, a resolution of the effects of the covid-19 epidemic and the mutual relations of both states. As part of the EU agenda, both prime ministers also discussed the multi-year financial framework and further cooperation of the Visegrád states.
1. 6. 2020
Government provides millions in financial assistance to sports organisations. "Traffic-light" travel allowed
Organisers of sporting events, sports clubs and organisations that suffered economic losses during the lockdown will be able to apply for a special state subsidy. Following a Government decision on Monday, 1 June 2020 the COVID-Sport subsidy program will have one billion Czech Crowns available. The Ministers also intend to ease the situation of Czech guides. They have therefore proposed to postpone the new obligation to acquire a national guide card by three months.
25. 5. 2020
Government to propose lowering VAT on accommodations and tickets, has decided to open all road and railway crossings with Germany and Austria
Organisers of sports and cultural events as well as those who run accommodation services could save five percent off VAT. Truckload hauliers could even save a quarter on the road tax. This as envisaged by a new bill amending certain acts in the field of taxation that was approved by the Andrej Babiš government on Monday 25 May 2020.
19. 5. 2020
Prime Minister Babiš discusses impacts of coronavirus crisis with V4 prime ministers and German Chancellor
The prime ministers of the countries of the Visegrád four and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel met today at a summit of the countries of the V4 group and Germany to discuss the impacts of the coronavirus crisis - primarily the easing of measures at border crossings and resolving the economic effects. As the presiding country, the Czech Republic organised the summit, held through a video conference. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš then also negotiated bilaterally with the German Chancellor.
18. 5. 2020
Government approves COVID III guarantee programme for companies and releases 2.5 billion for Care-giver’s Allowance for SEP programme
Companies with up to 500 employees affected by the coronavirus contagion will be able to ask banks for a loan with a state guarantee. The government of Andrej Babiš approved the announcement of the COVID III guarantee programme at their meeting on Monday 18 May 2020. It also agreed with the designation of 2.5 billion crowns for the support of self-employed persons (SEP) that have to take care of children during the pandemic and with the draft of an act that enables healthcare service providers to be compensated for expenses that arose for them in connection with the ongoing epidemic of the COVID-19 disease.
11. 5. 2020
Students taking secondary school & university entrance and final examinations will not have to wear face masks
Pupils and students taking university entrance and final examinations, and members of examination boards, will not have to wear face masks if they follow certain basic rules. At a meeting on Monday, 11 May 2020, the government discussed further exemptions from the obligation imposed earlier.
7. 5. 2020
Selected social services will start up earlier, government will reward rescuers and social workers for their extraordinary efforts during the epidemic
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will accelerate the scenario for relaxing limitations on social services. On Thursday, 7 May 2020, the government of Andrej Babiš gave its consent to the earlier start-up of selected activities. It also approved the payment of extraordinary remuneration for employees in social services and the emergency medical services. A special interim law for the period of the pandemic and a proposal to defer social security payments will also go to Parliament.
4. 5. 2020
Government approves further proposals to help businesses, from 11 May cross-border passenger transportation to resume
The partners of small limited liability companies that fulfil the basic conditions and were damaged in relation to the coronavirus epidemic will also be able to ask for aid from the state. On 4 May 2020, the government of Andrej Babiš proposed a contribution of 500 crowns per day. It will also be sending further proposals of legislative changes to parliament to help businesses, for example by increasing the care-giver’s allowance for self-employed persons, a state contribution for the payment of rent or the deferral of the obligation to use the electronic records of sales until the end of the year.
30. 4. 2020
Government approves the rules for relaxing emergency measures from 11 May, state of emergency remains in force until 17 May
At an extraordinary meeting on Thursday, 30 April, the government of Andrej Babiš approved the extension of the state of emergency until 17 May. Ministers also agreed on precise rules for the next phase of the relaxation of the emergency measures from 11 May, a proposal to help cultural facilities and artists, and a bill to abolish property purchase tax.
27. 4. 2020
Government Extends Antivirus Job Support Programme to End of May
Employers who have had to suspend or restrict operations due to the coronavirus epidemic will be able to obtain wage payment reimbursements from the State for the period from 12 March all the way to the end of May. Andrej Babiš’s administration decided on the month-long extension of the Antivirus Programme on Monday, 27 April.
