Czech PM: State of Emergency will not lead to major new restrictions

The new State of Emergency due to the Covid-19 uptick will not trigger major new restrictions, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) told MPs at the start of a debate on Wednesday.

Unlike following the ‘first wave’ in the spring, the government does not plan to close stores, restaurants or other establishments, Babiš said.

Health Minister Roman Prymula (independent) said the State of Emergency had to be declared in order to put in place general measures. These include allowing medical students to be called in to help given the high rate of Covid-19 infection among doctors, Prymula said.

Interior Minister Jan Hamáček (Social Democrats) said the one month State of Emergency, which begins on Monday (October 5), will not trigger new restrictions on mobility or travel.