Residents of Český Těšín and Poland’s Cieszyn protest border restrictions

Around 200 people from Český Těšín on the Czech side and Cieszyn on the Polish side of the border gathered on Monday night at a bridge over the River Olza joining the two towns. The silent protest was aimed at highlighting restrictions on movement between the two communities, which are closely connected. Locals also say they have not been informed properly about measures linked to the coronavirus.

Though borders between the Czech Republic and Poland have been opened there is an exception for the Silesian Voivodeship, where Cieszyn is located, because of a high incidence of Covid-19.

Poles may not enter the Czech Republic from the province while Czechs who go there and wish to return have to produce a negative coronavirus test or enter quarantine.