Minister of Health Jan Blatný (ANO) announced on Sunday during an interview with CNN Prima News that during Christmas time the Czech government could apply the PES (Protiepidemický Systém) level 3.
PES assesses the epidemiological risk, taking into account the number of tests carried in relation to the number of positive tests returned, the R0 number, the number of infected per 100,000 people over the last 14 days, and the number of the elderly infected over the last 14 days.
The level of measures corresponds to the risk score, which has now dropped from 70 points to 62.
At level number three, the restaurants will have to be closed from 22:00 to 06:00 and a maximum of four guests will be allowed to sit at one table. The night curfew will end, while in shops there will be a limit of 1 person per 15 m2
However, some restrictions will continue to apply. For example on Sundays and holidays, restaurants should be open only until 10 pm.
Besides that, the two-meter spacing between customers should be maintained in shopping centres, while dining and children’s corners will continue to be closed.
“We should reach the level 3 at the turn of November and December,” he added.
“This year’s Christmas will be different than in previous years, quite possibly without the slightly unnecessary shopping spree. That’s why we must be good and think of traditions,” said Blatný.
It is not clear whether the Czechs will be able to go to the traditional Christmas markets. The government is due to decide on it in the upcoming week.
“The sale of Christmas trees, carps, and typical decorations will be possible,” added Blatný
The R0 has dropped this week from 0.8 to 0.7.
“If the increase in cases can be reduced and stable at the level of the reproduction number of 0.8, the individual measures will be gradually released at the shortest possible intervals,” the ex-minister of Health, Roman Prymula, said earlier.
