Press Advisories
24. 4. 2020
The government to ask Chamber of Deputies to extend state of emergency until 25 May
The government of Andrej Babiš will ask the Chamber of Deputies to extend the state of emergency in the Czech Republic until 25 May. The wording of the request was approved by the government at an extraordinary meeting on Friday, 24 April 2020.
23. 4. 2020
Government accelerates scenario for loosening extraordinary measures, larger establishments can open starting Monday
Thanks to favourable development of the epidemiological situation in the incidence of COVID-19, at a special meeting Thursday 23 April 2020 the Andrej Babiš government approved an accelerated scenario for loosening the extraordinary quarantine measures. Starting Friday the rules restricting free movement have been altered and people can go out in public or play sports in groups of up to ten. Starting Monday, places of business of up to 2 500 square metres can also open, with the exception of those in shopping centres.
20. 4. 2020
Government Proposes Extending Financial Assistance to Self-Employed through May, Plans to Increase Contributions on Behalf of State-Insured Persons
Andrej Babiš’s administration met on Monday, 20 April to discuss other ways to assist entrepreneurs suffering the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. Hard-hit self-employed persons are to receive financial assistance from the government even after 30 April right through until the emergency measures are lifted. The government will also propose to the Chamber of Deputies a further increase to the budget deficit, thus bringing it up to CZK 300 billion. One of the reasons for this increase is the planned outlay of almost CZK 21 billion this year in the form of additional contributions paid into the health insurance system on behalf of state-insured persons.
17. 4. 2020
The government has proposed an increase in the care allowance and confirmed from Monday the partial relaxation of certain measures
The care allowance for parents of children under the age of 13 who are unable to attend pre-school or school facilities as a result of the quarantine measures and for those caring for those with health disabilities within a joint household may increase from the current 60 percent to 80 percent of the daily assessment base. The relevant draft amendment to the Act on Certain Social Security Adjustments in connection with extraordinary measures for the 2020 epidemic was approved by the government of Andrej Babiš at an extraordinary meeting on Friday 17 April 2020.
14. 4. 2020
Government discusses proposal for gradually easing exceptional measures
Starting Monday 20 April, tradespeople and farmers' markets will once again be able to operate, small weddings and individual consultations will be able to take place, and so will exams for students in their final years of university. This as part of the scenario for gradual easing of declared exceptional measures planned by the Andrej Babiš government at its meeting Tuesday 14 April 2020.
9. 4. 2020
The government has decided to extend the state of emergency until 30 April, more than a billion crowns of support for cultural institutions
At an extraordinary meeting on Thursday, 9 April 2020, the government of Andrej Babiš approved an extension of the state of emergency in the Czech Republic until 30 April 2020. Ministers also discussed several changes in the emergency measures already announced and also approved financial assistance to state and non-state cultural institutions. They also decided to strengthen the involvement of the Czech Army in coping with the coronavirus pandemic, with another 2,000 soldiers to help the Czech Police.
6. 4. 2020
Exercising alone to be allowed without face masks. Government to allow some shops to re-open from Thursday
At its session on Monday, 6 April, Andrej Babiš's government set about partly relaxing its stringent anti-epidemic measures. People will be able to exercise alone without face masks as of Tuesday. On Thursday, certain shops that have been closed until now, will be allowed to re-open. Essential travel outside the Czech Republic will be allowed from Tuesday, 14 April.
1. 4. 2020
Government asks MPs to prolong state of emergency by another 30 days, will present Coronavirus aid-law package to Parliament
At its extraordinary session on Wednesday, 1 April 2020, Andrej Babiš's Government passed several bills and will present them to Parliament for discussion in the state of legislative emergency. They include a range of further steps intended to help cope with the impacts of the Coronavirus epidemic on society. The Cabinet will also request that the state of emergency be extended by another 30 days, i.e., until 11 May.
31. 3. 2020
Government approves CZK 25 000 for self-employed persons, also launching programme for supporting employment retention
One-time assistance of CZK 25 000 for the self-employed, covering the majority of wage costs for employers affected by the government regulations and consequences of the coronavirus crisis, and a proposal to help people facing distraint. At a meeting on Tuesday 31 March 2020, the government of Andrej Babiš approved another bundle of measures to help those hit hardest by the pandemic.
30. 3. 2020
Restriction of free movement, retail sale and services extended to 11 April; smart-quarantine project launched
The restriction of free movement, retail sale and certain services in the Czech Republic due to the Coronavirus pandemic will remain in force until at least 06h00, 11 April. Andrej Babiš's Government acknowledged the emergency measures adopted by the Ministry of Health on Monday, 30 March 2020. It also decided to set up a COVID-19 Central Management Team to lead the "smart quarantine" project. Children under two years of age will no longer be required to wear face masks. The same applies to drivers, provided there are no passengers in the vehicle.
