The anti-epidemic risk index (PES) in the country decreased to 75 points, which corresponds to the fourth level of risk.
The only exception is Prague, which switched to the third level since the risk score has been stable at 60 points.
The third level in the PES anti-epidemic system would allow:
- All stores and services may reopen.
- Stores may be open on Sundays.
- All restaurants may reopen from 06:00 until 23:00. A maximum of 4 people can sit at one table.
- The nighttime curfew will be lifted.
- Alcohol may be consumed in public.
- Museums and galleries may reopen with one-quarter of their capacity.
- Libraries may reopen.
- It is now possible to play amateur sports indoors with a maximum of 10 people in the room. It is necessary to wear a face mask.
- Church services may be attended by a larger number of people, depending on the capacity of the church (15 m2/person).
The gradual decline of the score has started on January 9, moving from 89 to the current 75 points in the last five days. It is currently higher in only four regions.
The worst situation is registered in the Karlovy Vary region, where the index remains at 81. In the Liberec, Hradec Králové and Olomouc regions, the risk score is stable at 76 points.
The share of positive tests is also slowly declining. Currently, roughly every third test performed is positive.
The number of infections rose by 10,854 on Wednesday, down from nearly 18,000 a week earlier, to bring the total tally to 866,522. There are 143,824 active cases, according to the health ministry’s data.
Hospitalizations stand at 7,182. In a weekly update, the health ministry said 70,680 people have been inoculated so far against the COVID-19 illness.
The current vaccination program in the Czech Republic is based on the vaccine from Pfizer. However, the European Medicines Agency is expected to approve another vaccine from Astra Zeneca soon.
In February, up to 433,000 doses from Pfizer / BioNTech are expected to be delivered, along with 80,000 doses from Moderna.
Around 75,000 vaccinations had already been carried out in the Czech Republic.
