Minister unveils new restrictions, including face masks in classrooms

Older pupils at elementary schools and students at secondary schools in the Czech Republic will be required to wear face masks even during lessons from Friday, the minister of health, Adam Vojtěch, announced on Thursday. The measure does not apply to the first five grades at elmentary schools.

Another new measure aimed at curbing the increasing spread of Covid-19 is the closing of bars and clubs around the country at midnight, a measure that is already in place in Prague.

Mr. Vojtěch said that the entire country was expected to be classed medium risk within a national “Covid map”. A new version of a national Covid tracking app named e-Rouška will work on all devices from Friday, he added.

He had earlier announced that indoor events where over 10 people have to stand will be prohibited from Friday at 6 pm. The rule also applies to restaurants, bars and clubs. Events where people can be seated must sell tickets with specific seats marked.

The head of the Institute of Health Information and Statistics, Ladislav Dušek, said on Thursday there was a great risk of exponential spread of the coronavirus in the Czech Republic.