Press Advisories
26. 3. 2020
Benefit applicants will not have to go to the office, government proposes. Also approves a subsidy programme for care allowance for the self-employed
On Thursday, 26 March, the government of Andrej Babiš discussed by video conference further measures to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and to help those affected by the pandemic. For example, ministers have approved an exceptional abolition of the obligation to provide the authorities with the documents necessary for benefit payments, as well as financial assistance for foresters and farmers, and funds for the repatriation of Czechs from abroad.
24. 3. 2020
The government has decided to extend restrictions on public movement until 1 April, and has also approved further steps to support employers
Restrictions on free movement and public stays will apply until at least 06:00 on 1 April 2020. On Monday 23 March 2020, the government decided to extend the emergency measure against the spread of the coronavirus. During the video conference, ministers also approved other anti-crisis measures to support employers, farmers and the self-employed. The government will submit to the Chamber of Deputies for its approval a new state budget deficit for the current year of 200 billion crowns.
24. 3. 2020
Prime Minister’s Address to all citizens
In a speech broadcast on 23 March 2020 by Czech Television, TV Nova and FTV Prima, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš thanked all citizens for their understanding and respect for the government's extraordinary measures intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
20. 3. 2020
Government agreeed to extend the payment of care allowance during an emergency; the self-employed will also get money
At an emergency meeting on Thursday, 19 March 2020, the government adopted further emergency measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Inter alia, the ministers approved a bill that would allow parents caring for schoolchildren at home to extend their care allowance, has further tightened the conditions for cross-border workers, and changed the time reserved for senior citizens to buy foodstuffs and drugstore goods to 07:00 to 09:00.
18. 3. 2020
The government requires the wearing of protective equipment and reserved time for pensioners to do their food shopping
At an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, 18 March 2020, the government approved several new measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus. It is introducing a ban on any movement outside one’s place of residence without protective respiratory equipment. At the same time, for senior citizens over the age of 65, a time has been reserved for food shopping, from 10.00 to 12.00. Those “commuting” to work abroad will be subject to stricter curfew rules.
16. 3. 2020
Due to the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, the government has restricted the free movement of people to the essential minimum
At an extraordinary meeting of the government on Sunday, 15 March 2020, the government of Andrej Babiš decided, as part of its precautionary steps, to take additional emergency measures against the spread of SARS CoV-2. From midnight on 16 March until March 24, 6:00, it has declared restrictions on the free movement of people with certain defined and necessary exceptions. It also extended the reintroduction of border surveillance.
14. 3. 2020
The government is strengthening preventive measures, closing shops and restaurants to the public for ten days
The government has adopted further extraordinary preventive measures aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus infection in the Czech Republic. From Saturday 14 March 2020 at 6:00 to 24 March 2020 at 6:00 all shops are closed except for shops selling foodstuffs, sanitary and drugstore goods, pharmacies and dispensaries of medical devices, heating materials and fuels, spectacles and contact lenses, computer and telecommunications technology, consumer electronics and household products, tobacco products, small household pets, pet food and other pet supplies, newspapers and magazines, laundry and dry cleaning services, and sales via the Internet and other remote means.
14. 3. 2020
The government has taken further extraordinary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus
Czech citizens and foreigners resident in the Czech Republic are not allowed to leave the country starting at midnight from Sunday to Monday, 16 March, with certain exceptions. At the same time, a similar ban will also apply to foreigners who would like to come to the Czech Republic and do not have permanent or long-term temporary residence. Together with other preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus, this was decided by the government of Andrej Babiš at an extraordinary meeting on Friday, 13 March 2020.
13. 3. 2020
Emergency measures in international transport will take effect on Saturday
From Saturday, traveling abroad will be restricted to passenger cars only, as cross-border bus, train and ferry passenger transport will be suspended. The new measures will also affect international air passenger transport.
12. 3. 2020
Due to the spread of the coronavirus the government has declared a state of emergency and on 12 March 2020 further tightened preventive measures
At an extraordinary meeting on Thursday 12 March 2020, the government of Andrej Babiš decided to declare a state of emergency in the Czech Republic in connection with the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus. At the same time, it announced further stricter preventive measures to limit the spread of the disease. It has for example banned travel to the most high-risk countries and has banned foreigners from those countries from entering the country. It has also radically reduced the conditions for gatherings of larger groups of people.
