Czech Republic on highest Covid emergency level for fourth day in succession

The Czech Republic remains on the highest, fifth level of the anti-coronavirus emergency system index (PES) for the fourth day in succession, according to data released by the Ministry of Health on Monday. The index remains at 76 points out of 100, the lower limit of the fifth level.

Coronavirus restrictions were raised to the fourth level only last Friday and experts are urging a further tightening, pointing out that the steep increase indicates the start of the third wave of the pandemic in the Czech Republic.

The daily increase in cases in recent days has been the highest since mid-November when the country was fighting the second wave.

The government is to debate a further tightening of restrictions on Wednesday. It has also asked the lower house to extend the state of emergency in the country, which will end on December 23, by another 30 days.