News

Children who have not been vaccinated against whooping cough will not be excluded from classes, the country's Chief Hygiene Officer Pavla Svrčinová said at a press briefing on Friday in response to confusion regarding how schools should respond to the outbreaks of whooping cough in some parts of the country. She said the interpretation of the Prague Hygiene Office, which informed schools in a letter that unvaccinated children should not be allowed to attend classes if the disease was confirmed in their class, was not accurate and no blanket measures were currently being considered. Decisions are reportedly being made on an individual basis. Although vaccination against whooping cough is compulsory in Czechia, the country is now registering the highest incidence of the disease since the 1960s.

Former president Miloš Zeman who underwent surgery at Prague’s Motol Hospital this week due to a blood clot in his leg, is in a serious but stable condition, a spokesperson for the hospital reported. She confirmed that the problem was related to Mr. Zeman’s diabetes and said it was not clear for how long he would have to remain hospitalized. Miloš Zeman (79) is a leading Czech political figure. He headed several Czech governments and served as president from 2013 to 2023.

The Eva Pavlova Foundation has unveiled a commemorative certificate issued in the form of a 10, 000 000 crown banknote to mark the one-year anniversary of the inauguration of President Petr Pavel. The commemorative banknote was issued by the State Printing House in five series of two thousand pieces. It will cost collectors  CZK 3,500 apiece. The proceeds will go to help children, the elderly and single mothers. The banknote can be purchased via the website  www.desetmilionusrdci.cz.

Czech farmers will join European protests against high energy costs, cheap goods from Ukraine, excessive bureaucracy and the European Union's Green Deal scheduled to take place on March 20, Martin Pýcha, chairman of the Czech Agricultural Union told the Czech Press Agency. Protest rides of tractors and other machinery will reportedly take place across the country and at several border crossings. Pýcha said the concessions made by the government in recent weeks were a move in the right direction, but will not significantly improve the situation of Czech farmers. Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný urged farmers to show consideration for citizens and not to block key transport routes.