News
International experts protest against new bill on Šumava
Several dozens international experts have approached the Czech environment minister, Tomáš Chalupa, over a controversial bill on the Šumava National Park, the news website idnes.cz reported on Monday. The signatories of the letter, which include heads of national parts in Austria, Italy and Switzerland, as well as university professors and other experts from Germany, Poland, Portugal, and other countries, warn against the planned removal of the strictest level of protection from some of the core parts of the Šumava National Park. The letter had reportedly arrived at the ministry at the end of last year. The bill has also come under criticism from Czech wildlife experts
Czech troops begin Mali training mission
The Czech army on Monday began a military training mission in Mali, as part of an EU mission to the West African country. In the first stage, 34 Czech troops will guard an army base in the capital Bamaku before taking part in a training programme for the Malian military. Their mission is expected to last 15 months; most Czech troops participating in the mission are from the 43rd Airborne Battalion in Chrudim which has gone through missions in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and other places.
Monday marks changes to health care system
Several changes to the health care system come into effect on Monday, April 1. Medical marihuana is now legally available in the Czech Republic for patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other serious conditions. They will be able to get electronic prescriptions for cannabis from their doctors. All medical marihuana will be imported; the authorities will only allow Czech firms to grow medical marihuana in a year’s time. The changes to the health care system also include a new regulation of organs transplantations; Czech patients can now receive organs from foreign nationals who die in the Czech Republic.
Snow continues to disrupt traffic
Snow on Monday continues to disrupt traffic in parts of the Czech Republic. Some roads in the northeastern Moravian-Silesian region are covered with ice; however, most major roads and motorways have been cleared. Bad weather has also caused problems on the rail where several local routes had to be closed for traffic. The police have registered dozens of car accidents over the last 48 hours; more problems are expected later on Easter Monday when many people are returning home from family visits.
30,000 people in Prague left without running water
Some 30,000 people in Prague have been left without running water after a water pipe burst on Sunday afternoon. The affected area includes the districts of Hostivař and Zahradní město. The authorities have provided the inhabitants cisterns with drinking water which is however running out. The repairs are expected to last until Monday night.
Czechs celebrate Easter with folk customs
Many Czechs, especially in Moravia, practice traditional customs on Easter Monday, a public holiday in the Czech Republic. One of the most popular customs includes the whipping of girls and women with special whips made of willow branches; this, some believe, bestows beauty and health on them for the next year. In return, the men receive coloured eggs.
Weather
The start of the week will be mostly overcast with snow in places and daytime highs ranging between 0 and +4 degrees Celsius.
